When the Paris Agreement was agreed the whole world knew and many congratulated even the likes of me … (who then explained that the work was just starting … https://lnkd.in/eVv56TSX ).

But hardly anyone paid attention when the gavel finally fell in New York last night, creating the possibility of proper governance rules for almost half of our planet for the first time.

The High Seas Ocean Treaty is the biggest advance in ocean governance in decades. It’s crucial for protecting our oceans and building resilience in the face of the climate emergency.

The political mandate for this Treaty was won at Rio+20 - and thanks go out to the whole Greenpeace International Team who helped back then (accepting that „we are all ocean campaigners now“) - and especially to all who persevered afterwards, never giving up.

For many years, every year, I had hoped to sign off on this kind of press release. It was not to be during my tenure as Political Director. But here it is FINALLY! What a relief. Go celebrate team!!!

„WE WON!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳

HISTORIC UN OCEAN TREATY AGREED!!! 🌎🐋🐠🦀🦑🐟

“This is a historic day for conservation and a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and people can triumph over geopolitics." says Laura Meller

Over 5.5 million people signed a Greenpeace petition calling for a strong Oceans Treaty. This is a victory for all of them. ❤️

It’s vital that countries now urgently ratify this Treaty, and begin the work to create vast fully protected ocean sanctuaries covering 30% of oceans by 2030.

Read our press statement:
https://lnkd.in/e9Mahn7s“

#HighSeasTreaty #ProtectTheOceans #Rio20 #conservation #climateemergency #governance #environmentalgovernance