Greenpeace does poll on the Pole to push for sanctuary

This is the area of international marine territory surrounding the North Pole, sometimes called the “donut hole.” (IMAGE COURTESY OF OCEANS NORTH)

An international poll commissioned by Greenpeace and released Sept.4 suggests overwhelming support for creating a sanctuary around international waters surrounding the North Pole that would prevent oil drilling and other heavy industry.

The area of international marine territory around the North Pole, sometimes known as the donut hole, comprises about 2.8 million square kilometres.

In 2012, Greenpeace first launched its proposal for an Arctic sanctuary, around that area, which could help protect the Arctic Ocean from development and exploitation.

The recent poll found that 78 per cent of Canadians agree with the idea of creating a sanctuary protecting animals and marine life in these international waters.

Three-quarters of those polled around the world agreed.

Meanwhile, 75 per cent of Canadians agreed the Arctic Ocean should be free of oil drilling, the poll found, compared to 71 per cent internationally.

But just over half of respondents in both Canada and the world also said they believed oil companies have the necessary technology and capacity to clean up a major oil spill, in the case of an accident.

About 1.5 per cent of the Arctic Ocean is protected, less than any of the other world’s oceans, Greenpeace said.

The results of the poll were released as the founding meeting of the Arctic Economic Council, hosted by MP Leona Aglukkaq, finished up Sept. 3.

Aglukkaq and Greenpeace have had a public war of words in recent months with each side claiming to better represent interests of the North.

“While Canada uses its chairmanship of the Arctic Council to promote big oil, while the National Energy Board approves seismic testing in Baffin Bay … the world is demanding Arctic protection, not Arctic destruction,” Greenpeace Canada Arctic Campaigner Farrah Khan said in a Sept. 4 press release.

The poll, conducted by Riwi Corp. for Greenpeace, was conducted online in 30 countries last month, reaching more than 30,000 people aged 18 years and older, Riwi said.

Earlier this year, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for more protection in the high Arctic, including the establishment of a sanctuary around the North Pole.

The resolution of the European Union Arctic strategy could go as far as banning oil companies and fishing fleets from the region “without the prior establishment of appropriate regulatory mechanisms,” it read.