August 5, 2019 – For Immediate Release (Parvati.org)

While most countries turn a blind eye to the unprecedented global crisis of the loss of Arctic ice, small island nations are leading the way to protect it through supporting MAPS, the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary. MAPS transforms the entire Arctic Ocean into the world’s largest preservation area, stopping all activities harmful to the ice, the Earth’s air conditioner. Other nations must follow their lead now, while there is still time. 

What is happening in the Arctic is affecting all life everywhere. Few people realize that the Arctic sea ice reflects the sun’s heat away from the planet and ensures everyone has the food and water needed to survive. But it’s melting fast, while global mega powers seek to profit off its thaw, putting life everywhere at risk. Though small island nations like the Cook Islands have contributed the least to the environmental and humanitarian crisis unfolding in our world today, they face some of the most severe effects, with disappearing coastlines, ravaging storms and rising food instability. The loss of our Arctic sea ice, and its devastating effects around the world, are an underreported global emergency.   

Everyone has the right to know that the problem is massive. But there is more than hope. There is MAPS, the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary. MAPS not only turns the Arctic Ocean above the Arctic Circle into the biggest peace sanctuary the world has ever known, free from exploitation, shipping traffic and military activity; it compels a global shift to sustainability on all levels. By taking Arctic seabed oil off the table for good, it catalyzes our pivot to renewable energies. In a time of widespread strife, MAPS unites the world as one Earth family—giving voice to all nations and people equally, regardless of their wealth or political influence. It bypasses bureaucratic red tape to create the protection we urgently need at the necessary speed. And it takes the priority away from short-term gain for a few to where it belongs: the long-term good of all. 

Inspired by a world in need, the all-volunteer Parvati.org, founded and led by the award-winning Canadian musician and author Parvati, took the unprecedented step to create the MAPS Treaty as an addendum to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This powerful expression of love in action has been translated into all six official languages of the UN, distributed to all 193 member states, and brought every year since 2015 to UN Climate Conferences by volunteers at their own expense. It enters into force with the signatures of 99 states members of the UN or any of the specialized agencies. The Arctic sea ice is a gift of life for the entire world. Protecting it is everyone’s birthright.   

Though small island nations are far from the Arctic, they understand this, and have been leading the way for MAPS. Prime Minister Henry Puna, who has signed the MAPS Treaty on behalf of the people of the Cook Islands, says: 

As a global citizen, the Cook Islands recognises that climate change and its impacts knows no boundaries and affects us all. 

We say we are on the front lines, we will be impacted first, we are most vulnerable. But in reality, what happens in the Arctic, what happens with the pack ice, and what happens as our seas warm, we are all going to bear the brunt of these effects. 

This is why the Cook Islands are going to sign up to and support the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary Treaty. The time for bold action is now, and while my country has already started, we support others to do the same. 

Prime Minister Puna joins Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who was the first signatory to the MAPS Treaty. “We owe sincere gratitude and respect to the small island developing states who are courageously leading the call to protect our world,” says Parvati. “They understand that the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary does not just protect the Arctic Ocean. It protects all of life. Let’s join them wholeheartedly in standing up for a healthy world.” 

Visit Parvati.org, sign the petition for MAPS and tell your government to follow the Cook Islands and Samoa by signing the MAPS Treaty now.  

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.