WWF Leaders Join Forces to Combat Threats Against the Arctic

WWF

The Arctic contains the largest inhabited natural ecosystems left on earth, as revealed in a United Nations Environment Programme map released today showing the 25 largest remaining wilderness areas in this region. These are critical for many of the earth’s key physical and chemical processes – ocean currents, freshwater supply, moderating climate – which form the very cornerstones of life on earth.

But these fragile ecosystems now face major accelerating threats: internally from oil and gas development, pipelines, mining and roads; and externally from climate change and toxic pollution. Polar bears are struggling for survival on rapidly thinning ice, and the high levels of toxins in their bodies are causing reproductive and immune system problems. The migration of vast caribou herds is now threatened by plans for major pipelines and roads.

The WWF leaders resolved to help accomplish the following Arctic conservation targets:

  • In cooperation with northern residents, complete by 2010 a circumarctic network of protected areas, covering marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats;
  • By 2010, conserve or restore viable populations of such wide-ranging wildlife species as caribou, muskoxen, bears, wolves, wolverine, walrus, whales and migratory waterbirds;
  • By 2010, reduce CO2 emissions in industrialized countries to 10% below 1990 levels, as a first step to reducing this major threat to the Arctic’s sensitive ecosystems;
  • By 2007, eliminate or dramatically reduce the levels of 30 of the most hazardous industrial chemicals and pesticides found in the Arctic.
  • The summit emphasized three major threats: ill-planned development, uncontrolled climate change, and toxic pollutants. “To safeguard Arctic ecosystems, wildlife and indigenous cultures, we must establish a representative network of protected areas prior to any industrial development,” said Monte Hummel, CEO of WWF-Canada. “Development has already degraded most of the world’s pristine habitats; the Arctic is one of our last chances to put conservation first.”

Igor Chestin, CEO of WWF-Russia, stated that “Arctic countries – whose very backyards are at risk from global warming – must take the lead in tackling climate change by being among the first to implement and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.”

Lars Kristoferson, CEO of WWF-Sweden, said: “Toxic chemicals threaten Arctic wildlife and the people who depend on them. In May, over 90 nations signed the Stockholm Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Convention, a global agreement which will rein in and ultimately halt the proliferation of POPs chemicals. We urge the world’s countries to ratify the Convention before September 2002 to ensure rapid implementation.”

“The fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an urgent example of what is at stake,” said Brooks Yeager of WWF-US. “The American people don’t want to sacrifice the wilderness, wildlife and human heritage of this area for six month’s supply of oil.”

WWF, known worldwide by its panda logo, leads international efforts to protect the diversity of life on earth. Now in its fourth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe.

*Kim Carstensen (Denmark), Igor Chestin (Russia), Arni Finsson (Iceland), Rasmus Hansson (Norway), Monte Hummel (Canada), Lars Kristoferson (Sweden), Timo Tanninen (Finland), and Brooks Yeager (USA).