Narwhals Need Arctic Sea Ice. So Do Humans. That’s Why We Need MAPS.
Less ice and more noise in the Arctic Ocean means big trouble for narwhals, the Arctic-dwelling whales, lovingly dubbed “unicorn of the sea” for their long, spiraling tusks. The melting ice is changing the Arctic ecosystem, bringing orcas much farther north to prey on narwhals in waters that used to be safe. Meanwhile, increased noise in the Arctic Ocean from seismic testing vessels, military exercises, and shipping traffic stands to deafen and disorient these sonically sensitive animals, while placing the ice – and our climate – at ever-increasing risk.
The Arctic sea ice is crucial for balanced global weather patterns and sea levels. For the sake of the narwhals, and for all life on Earth, we need the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary now.
The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) is an essential intervention to help protect the vulnerable Arctic ecosystem. It declares all Arctic Ocean waters north of the Arctic Circle an international marine protected area, free from seismic testing, oil exploration, commercial fishing, military buildup, through shipping traffic and other harmful actions.
The Arctic Ocean has global ramifications. That’s why Parvati.org’s all-volunteer staff created the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary Treaty pursuant to the United Nations Law of the Sea, and is in communication with the 193 member-states of the United Nations to declare MAPS now.
“We no longer live in an era with the luxury to consider one isolated region separate from the whole,” says Parvati.org founder Parvati Devi. “What happens in the Arctic Ocean affects us all. We must safeguard the Arctic Ocean and its rich biodiversity, including the narwhals, before it is too late. Protecting the fragile Arctic Ocean ecosystem helps to keep our entire planet cool, and our weather patterns and global crop growth in balance. This must be an urgent priority for everyone on Earth.”
Citizens of all nations are invited to sign the MAPS petition at https://parvati.org.
