Thom Yorke of English rock band Radiohead has released a track with Greenpeace last week to promote the protection of the Antarctic Ocean. Greenpeace is appealing to world leaders for the creation of an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary in the Weddell Sea – roughly a million-kilometre (700,000 mile) protection zone for penguins, whales and other Antarctic wildlife.
The composition is called ‘Hands off the Antarctic’ and is an atmospheric piece that hints at a lively undercurrent of ocean life. The visuals do all the talking in this wordless campaign, which is absolutely fine because the footage, shot by Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise crew, is a potent and artful wildlife exhibition.
The icy landscape is punctuated with a solitary swooping black seabird, and the camera pans across the slushy ocean and lingers as it zooms in slowly to icebergs. Initially you only glimpse a frozen wilderness, but a vibrant Antarctic life soon erupts with scenes of busy penguins, seals and whales.
This icy habitat is home to diverse and important wildlife – particularly the tiny krill that nourish whales and sustain the Antarctic ecosystems. Greenpeace, among others, wants to establish an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to preserve this habitat that is endangered by climate change and the expanding fishing industries that threaten to encroach on this ecosystem.
Also see: Video: photographer’s amazing experience with Antarctic predator
Activists alike hope to drive home the necessity for conservation to the appointed Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The commission, consisting of members from 24 countries and the EU, are meeting today in Hobart, Australia to discuss and plan the creation of this Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.
Celebrities and activists across the globe, including actors Emma Thompson and Javier Bardem, have added their voices to among two million others calling for protection of the lively icy habitat.
Featured image by Brandon de Kock.
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