GREENPEACE CHARTS NEW ANTARCTIC WATERS

Antarctic Peninsular, 4 February 1997

The Greenpeace ice breaker MV Arctic Sunrise has successfully circumnavigated James Ross Island, a passage previously impossible due to an 200 metre thick ice shelf that joined the island to the Antarctic continent until 1995.

It is believed this is the first time that the island has ever been circumnavigated. The collapse of the ice shelf has been linked to increasing temperatures throughout the region, which are consistent with predictions of global warming and in line with mounting evidence of climate changes in other parts of the world. The ice shelves along the northern Antarctic Peninsula have been retreating in recent decades and some have disintegrated completely.

Last week the MV Arctic Sunrise, sailed into waters previously occupied by the 4,200 square kilometre, 300 metre thick Larsen-A Ice Shelf. This ice shelf collapsed in 1995 at the same time as the shelf between James Ross Island and the continent.

The ship's captain, Arne Sorensen: "For sailors, steaming in uncharted waters is an exciting challenge. However, my excitement is tainted with the belief that it is human interference with the climate that has allowed us to make this passage."

Greenpeace is currently in Antarctica documenting the impacts of global warming. In December, governments will be meeting in Japan to sign agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

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