You've probably heard about the capture of the Arctic sunrise crew. You may know a bit about why these brave activists are currently imprisoned in Russia. So, what you can do to help? Here's a little more info on why we need to #freethearctic30
The Arctic 30 were peacefully protesting at an off-shore oil platform. When they arrived, the Russian Coast Guard fired warning shots, then armed officers boarded and seized the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise.
Peaceful activism is vital when companies and governments fail to respond to social and environmental issues, and this disproportionate response is, it seems to me, trying to intimidate people who stand up to those that are blocking action on climate change. The Arctic may feel remote, but what happens there affects the whole planet - it is effectively a global air conditioning system, but scientists have said that it is heading for a "death spiral".
So, protecting the ice means protecting us all. If oil companies continue to drill in the Arctic the damage will be irreversible. Scientists say it would be gone in maybe 5 years. That would be beyond a tragedy. Oil companies see the Arctic as easy pickings - nothing more than a quick buck. We see it as people's homes, animals' habitats and an icy system that will help keep the climate stable. But, unless it's protected, it will disappear. That's why Greenpeace campaigned to protect the Antarctic - and we won. We can do it again with the Arctic.
A smart man once said, "If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything" - Malcolm X. So please help these people who've put themselves and their freedom at risk by standing up for all of us, by urging the Russian authorities to release them - you can do that here. Also, if you haven't already, please join the Save the Arctic campaign. We want to create a global sanctuary around the North Pole, and ban offshore drilling and destructive industry in the Arctic. Just as in the Antarctic. This is why the Arctic 30 were there.
If you would like to know more please watch the documentary below - and get in touch with us if you'd like to get active locally (feel free to come along to our next meeting) - also please spread the word on facebook, Twitter (#savethearctic30 and #savethearctic) and anywhere else. Thank you.
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