[The Hwankyung Ilbo] On February 7th, the International, environmental organization Green Peace exhibited the “Disappearing Penguins” in Gwanghwamun Plaza to convey the idea of climate crisis and marine protection. For this exhibition, it its designed to help the public to experience the disappearance of penguins more realistically, leading them to contemplate about the solutions to this crisis.

Currently, Green Peace is carrying out campaigns that are solely dedicated to marine protection in more than 30 countries. The marine protection campaign aims to designate at least 30% of the ocean as protected areas to prevent the worst case scenario which is based on the predictions of prominent oceanographers and biologists.

Marine Protected Area refers to areas that restrict or prohibit human activities such as overfishing, oil drilling, and seabed development.

Green Peace hopes that countries (delegations) from maritime powers such as Korea, Norway, and Japan to strongly advocate the designation of marine protected areas at the United Nations Convention on the maritime treaty (BBNJ).

Currently, the UN BBN, focusing on the topic of biodiversity in international waters, is still being discussed and debated by many countries over its definition, purpose, and plans.

For the exhibition, visitors can explore the site as if they were walking through dozens of pieces of ice which are modeled after diverse types of penguins such as Adelie Penguin, Emperor Penguin, and more. The exhibition will run for three days until February 9th.

The exhibition from Green Peace not only is happening in South Korea but also other countries such as United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Argentina, Croatia, and more (15 countries in total).

The Green Peace Campaigner for Korea’s exhibition said, “The sea is the natural habitat for about 80 percent of organisms. Marine Protected Areas are a key to restoring the marine ecosystems that are acidified and devastated by resource exploitations. They are proven to be more effective in preserving its biodiversity. Although Korean representatives were lukewarm towards expansion in marine protection, we look forward to their change in attitudes for the March UN meeting.”

Chijung Park Reporter  chijungpark@hkbs.co.kr

<저작권자 © 환경일보, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>