We all rely on the health of the Arctic for survival. The Arctic keeps our planet cool, shaping our weather patterns and the climate by reflecting the sun’s rays off the ice. But for the first time in human history, we’re facing the prospect of no ice at the North Pole.
In the last 30 years, nearly three-quarters of the ice cap floating at the top of the world has been lost due to climate change.
And in a sick twist, now the big oil companies are moving – this summer, they want to start drilling for the oil that caused the melting in the first place. It’s a vicious circle, but in 2013 we plan to break it.
The Arctic oil rush is being led by Shell, one of the world’s biggest and most powerful corporations. But following intense pressure and scrutiny from around the world Shell was forced to back out of the Alaskan Arctic for 2013. But Shell hasn’t given up yet – far from it. It has signed a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who’s invited Shell to drill in the Russian Arctic instead, where corruption is rife and oil companies are largely unregulated. An oil spill would devastate the pristine Arctic and there is no way to clean it up.
No country owns the Arctic. It should stay that way. We’re calling for a global sanctuary – we’re drawing a line in the ice and telling oil companies that the Arctic is a risk too far.
This year the Greenpeace field is brought to you by the frozen north.
• Enter the Arctic Dome for a genuine North Pole experience,
• Gather at the explorers’ hut for first-hand expedition stories,
• Don mittens for the greatest unseasonal spectacle Glastonbury has ever seen – a giant snowstorm.
• Our Farmers’ Market will have the feel of Svalbard village deep within the Arctic Circle.
• Fill up with tasty, healthy food before setting off on an Arctic adventure.
We’re building a movement of millions, standing together in face of climate change, to stop the destruction of one of the last untouched places on earth. Join us at Glastonbury or at www.savethearctic.org.