For Immediate Release from Parvati.org
The largest ecological and humanitarian crisis in history is at our doorstep. According to Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, hundreds of millions face impoverishment, widespread displacement and hunger, with the most severe impact in poor countries and regions that have contributed the least to the crisis. The sheer scale of the impending disaster calls us to step out of our status quo mindset and meet the needs of the moment with compassion, courage and forward thinking. MAPS, the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary, is an immediate and effective response, one the whole world needs now more than ever.
MAPS establishes all ocean waters north of the Arctic Circle as an international marine protected area free from natural resource exploitation, commercialization and militarization, promoting a peaceful and healthy Arctic Ocean ecosystem for the benefit of the entire world. The Arctic Ocean ice is our planet’s air conditioning system. Its ice balances weather patterns globally so that we have the food and resources we need to survive. But it is melting fast. With 75% less summer ice than just half a century ago, and the open ocean absorbing 90% of the sun’s rays, parts of the Arctic Ocean are now 4C/7F too hot.
The implications of such dramatic changes are enormous. A melted Arctic Ocean cannot maintain the Earth’s climate equilibrium, resulting in more frequent and intense weather events, threatened food production and water supply, poverty, disease, more climate refugees and ever-increasing suffering. Yet, instead of recognizing the loss of the Arctic sea ice as the global emergency that it is, corporations and governments are lining up to take advantage of the newly open waters.
Led by its founder and CEO, the award-winning musician, author and activist Parvati, the all-volunteer international non-profit organization Parvati.org created the international Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) Treaty to protect this key and vulnerable region by transforming it into the world’s largest preservation area. The MAPS Treaty has been translated into all official UN languages, provided to all 193 UN member states, and shared with officials at major UN conferences since 2015. MAPS stops Arctic exploitation while compelling a global shift to renewables, protecting remaining sea ice from destruction and befoulment caused by commercial and military traffic. With signatures from 99 countries, the MAPS Treaty enters into force, protecting all life on Earth for generations to come. It has already been signed by Samoa and the Cook Islands.
At this pivotal moment in human history, we no longer have time for anything but bold and decisive action to protect our shared future. That’s why Parvati.org is now finalizing an innovative global education strategy (GES) that harnesses the exponential power of modern media to cool minds, lighten footprints, and awaken an inevitable call for MAPS. Everyone has the right to know a healthy world is possible, so they can put pressure on their leaders to sign the MAPS Treaty immediately.
“There is no safe place on Earth if the vulnerable Arctic Ocean is exploited,” says Parvati. “We must speak up now for our common good and call for immediate protection of the Arctic sea ice, our planet’s air conditioner. The ice isn’t waiting, and neither can we.”
Citizens of all nations are urged to sign and share the MAPS petition at https://parvati.org, and to call on their world leaders to sign the MAPS Treaty.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Vandana Erin Ryder
General Counsel, Parvati.org
1-778-839-3231
vandana@parvati.org
BACKGROUNDER: FAQ
Who is Parvati.org?
– Parvati.org is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to a healthy planet.
– We are volunteers from around the world.
– We are committed to the immediate realization of the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) to protect all life.
– Our long-term vision is to create a Global Peace Sanctuary, to address poverty and hunger around the world.
Who founded Parvati.org?
– Parvati.org was founded in 2014 by the Canadian musician, author and activist Parvati, who gave the northernmost musical performance ever to raise awareness of the melting polar ice.
What is MAPS?
– MAPS, the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary, declares the entire Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle an ocean preserve.
– It stops all activity in the Arctic Ocean that harms this vulnerable ecosystem.
– MAPS is the largest ocean preserve in history, representing approximately 3% of the world’s oceans. This fits naturally with the United Nations’ commitment to protect 10% of our oceans by 2020.
– Leading biologists call for us to protect 50% of the entire planet immediately to prevent mass extinction.
– MAPS is not an end goal, but a baseline necessity.
What does MAPS do?
– By making Arctic seabed oil and gas unavailable for extraction and exploitation, MAPS will accelerate a global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies.
– As countries come together to sign the Treaty, our world moves from short-term individual gain to long-term collective good.
– MAPS is practical. It’s effective. And it’s immediately achievable.
Why do we need MAPS?
– The Arctic Ocean ice is our planet’s air conditioning system. It balances weather patterns globally so that we have the food and resources we need to survive.
– The white ice reflects 50% of the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere. But it is melting fast. – There is now 75% less summer ice in the Arctic Ocean than there was 50 years ago. The open ocean absorbs 90% of the sun’s rays, and today parts of the Arctic Ocean are now 4º C too hot.
– The Arctic Ocean is under threat as never before by corporations and governments that seek to profit from the unprecedented loss of ice.
-We are inherently and inescapably interconnected. What happens in the Arctic Ocean affects all life on Earth. We must act now to protect it.
Why MAPS now?
– All life on Earth depends on healthy, robust sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. But it’s in more danger than ever.
– As the ice melts at a staggering rate, businesses and governments are moving to take advantage of the Arctic Ocean’s resources for short-term gain for a few, instead of protecting this vulnerable, climate-regulating region for the benefit of all. This is a deadly error.
We must realize MAPS now to lead the way to a healthy and safe future for all.
How is MAPS realized?
– MAPS is being realized through the MAPS Treaty, an addendum to the UN Law of the Sea.
Under MAPS, the entire Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle will become an international peace park, free from exploitation of all kinds.
-The MAPS Treaty enters into force with the signatures of 99 world leaders, including those of the Arctic nations.
-Two nations to date have signed the MAPS Treaty and more signatures are expected soon.
Why did a nonprofit organization draft an international treaty?
– It needed to be done. We no longer live in an era when we have the luxury to consider one isolated region as if it were separate from the whole.
– Parvati.org has no political or religious affiliation and no financial interests in MAPS. Our interest is humanitarian.
– We know that all life everywhere has the fundamental right to be free from suffering, misery and lack.
Is Parvati.org supporting efforts for peace and sustainability, other than MAPS?
– Our sole focus at this time is MAPS because of its urgent role in protecting all life everywhere. It is the most powerful way to make a difference in the entire world.
– Hunger, natural disasters and mass migration are all factors in violent conflict. MAPS mitigates them all.
– Once MAPS is realized, we will broaden our focus to GPS: Global Peace Sanctuary.
Do you have any political affiliation?
– Parvati.org takes no political stance. The planet must be a healthy and safe home for all living creatures equally.
Does your organization have financial interest in MAPS in any way?
– No. The members of this not-for-profit are are all volunteers.
– Our interest is in our collective survival.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.