Greenpeace to collect one million signatures for Arctic

Moscow/Rio De Janeiro, June 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Greenpeace has plans to collect one million signatures via the Internet to support a project against oil drilling and unsustainable fishing in the Arctic, the global environment watchdog has stated on its website.

"We're not going to sit by while greedy companies and selfish politicians destroy this beautiful, fragile environment," Greenpeace said.

"That's why we are demanding that the uninhabited area around the North Pole be protected by the UN and calling for a ban on offshore oil drilling and unsustainable fishing in the Arctic," it said.

"We've got to show that people from all corners of the globe want the Arctic to be protected. That's why we need you to add your name to our Arctic Scroll to show that you're determined to save the Arctic," it said.

"It's more than just a petition: when one million people have signed it, we'll place those names in an indestructible pod and take it to the Arctic."

Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo announced the start of the Arctic campaign at the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) now underway in Brazil.

Naidoo told journalists that his organisation hopes for wide support from over a million people.

Singer Paul McCartney and actress Penelope Cruz, as well as other stars, have already added their names to the Arctic Scroll.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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