Chester’s MP calls on the Prime Minister to join the fight to save our oceans

The MP for the City of Chester, Chris Matheson, has urged the Prime Minister to take a strong stance at the United Nations conference, to fight for the crucial Oceans Treaty.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Chris urged Boris Johnson to state unequivocal support for creating a network of oceans sanctuaries which could help protect over a third of the world’s oceans.

Governments are coming together at the final negotiating session on March 23, 2020, at the UN Intergovernmental Conference.

Chris said: “We cannot miss this opportunity to create vital ocean sanctuaries where fishing, mining and oil extraction are banned to allow the ocean to regenerate.

“I am calling on the Government to send a senior Minister to the UN negotiations, to demonstrate the UK’s serious support for this important step forward in the fight against climate change.”

Greenpeace launched the Oceans Treaty, based on scientific and academic research of the world’s ‘global oceans’. Global oceans are set apart from the boundaries of flags, languages and national divisions. They account for more than 64% of the world’s ocean.

Chris said: “All life on earth depends on the ocean, yet only 1% is protected. Pollution continues to devastate the health our oceans, destroying biodiversity and killing marine wildlife. It is time our Government took a strong stance in support of protecting our oceans, before it is too late.

“Oceans provide 50% of our oxygen and help slow down climate change, so it is vital that we protect them. We are face an existential threat and now is the time for decisive action to prevent the most damaging impacts of climate change.”

According to Greenpeace, every minute one dumper truck worth of plastic ends up in our oceans. Plastic has now been found encased in Arctic ice, embedded in coral reefs and in the very deepest ocean trenches.

Chris is working with local green activists from Chester, including Colin Watson, the Regional Speaker for Greenpeace and the chair of the Chester Sustainability Forum, to raise awareness about the Oceans Treaty and ensure the UK send a senior government representative to make the case to the UN.