Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) logo

For Our Survival

The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary

Why We Need MAPS

Our world faces an unprecedented combination of global crises that threaten all those we love and all that sustains us in our everyday lives.

 

The sustainability of our energy choices, war, food and water shortages, the spiralling cost of living and economic instability, climate-related disasters, and increased physical and mental health issues carry real and immediate threats.

 

Our way forward to a healthier, more peaceful and prosperous future depends on addressing the root cause of these problems – our disconnect from ourselves, each other and nature.

 

The current treatment of the Arctic Ocean is a reflection of that disconnect. Its critical role as our global life support is being violated in a rush of sovereignty, military activity and commercial exploitation.

 

These actions are accelerating the melting of the Arctic Ocean sea ice, reducing the ability to reflect the sun’s rays from the Earth's surface. This affects the stability of jet streams and ocean currents which balance our global weather patterns and threatens to disturb long-buried methane and pathogen deposits with significant immediate consequences.

 

Any one of these outcomes, let alone the combination, poses a serious threat to our human survival and requires a total and permanent preservation of this critical ecosystem.

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What is MAPS?

The Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) is a 360º initiative to awaken interconnection globally to protect all life.

 

Protecting the Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle creates both the world’s largest preservation area and the necessary pivot in thinking to sustain it.

 

It safeguards all that is precious to us – our homes, food and water supplies, global health, economic balance, social stability, and world peace.

 

It serves as the foundation on which all other ecological and humanitarian efforts depend, and supports all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Difference MAPS Makes

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Preserves food & water security for everyone

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Keeps 142 trillion kg of CO2 in the ground

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Supports stable supply chains and economies

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Protects sustainability innovation and gains in human rights

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Decreases hate and violence globally

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Ensures millions of homes are save (from storms and sea level rise)

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Ensures millions of homes are safe (from storms and sea level rise)

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Safeguards 8 million square km of ocean, 1.5% of the planet's surface

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Halts the growth of extreme weather, now costing US$291B annually in damage

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Activates 11% of the global population to live and act in interconnection

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Bring at least 99 of our world leaders together for peace

How is MAPS Being Realized?

MAPS is realized through the MAPS Treaty, an addendum to the UN Law of the Sea.

It enters into effect with the Treaty signatures of 99 world leaders, including those of the Arctic nations.

MAPS transforms the entire Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle into an international peace park, free from exploitation of all kinds, while still allowing subsistence activities, scientific investigation, observation and inspection.

MAPS simultaneously works from the top down and bottom – advocating directly with world leaders, generating mass public momentum through our Gift the World initiative and bringing together grassroots action, a strong global youth movement, NGO and corporate alliances.