Toronto, ON, 13 September 2013 – Hundreds of people in polar bear suits and other Arctic-themed costumes are expected to cycle together through seven Canadian cities[1] this Sunday, as a global movement to protect the Arctic takes to the streets.
The mass bike rides in Canada are part of a global day of action to protect the fragile Arctic region from oil drilling and the effects of climate change. This family-friendly activity will see around 40,000 people from all walks of life get on their bikes and hit the road in 36 different countries and 106 cities in 6 continents across the globe.
In Toronto, the crowd of Arctic supporters will be pedalling through the city starting from Allan Gardens at 1pm. At the same time, a giant polar bear puppet named Aurora, the biggest polar bear ever, will lead a parade to Shell’s global HQ in London hauled by 30 volunteers and operated by 15 puppeteers. The double-decker bus sized bear, weighing around three tonnes, will carry the names of almost four million people who have already signed up to protect the Arctic.
“We’re using the clean and peaceful energy of our bike pedals to protest devastating plans to drill for oil in the melting Arctic. With a unified voice, from all corners of the world, we’re telling oil companies and the governments that support them that the Arctic is off limits for oil exploitation,” said Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner Farrah Khan.
The Ice Ride initiative is part of Greenpeace’s Save the Arctic campaign, which has seen almost four million people backing calls to protect the Arctic in just one year and more than 100,000 people sending letters and making phone calls to Prime Minister Harper to tell him ‘No Arctic drilling’ . The Arctic is under threat from climate change, from oil giants planning to take advantage of melting ice to drill high in the region, and from other destructive industries.
The event is timed to coincide with the announcement of the Arctic sea ice minimum, the moment in late summer when the ice sheet shrinks to its smallest size. Last year, the extent of the Arctic sea ice hit a record-breaking low, fuelling global concern that climate change is destroying the Arctic region faster than previously thought. The 2012 sea ice extent value was a record at 48.5 % below the long term average recorded between 1979 and 2000. Data shows that the rate of melting has increased significantly in recent years.
“The Arctic is not just a place of breathtaking beauty, home to millions of people and unique creatures like polar bears –it also plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate,” said Khan. “If we allow oil companies to destroy this region, we will all pay the price as our planet keeps warming, sea levels rise, and the weather becomes more extreme and unpredictable.”
“That is why thousands of people will take to the streets across the world on Sunday and demand that the international community protects the Arctic, and stops reckless oil companies from playing Russian roulette with this vitally important region and our climate,” Khan added.
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For more information:
Diego Creimer, Media Relations, 514-999-6743 (in Montreal)
Amanda Gomm, Volunteer Organizer, 416-876-3548 (in Toronto)
Cindy French, Volunteer, 604-734-2511 (In Vancouver)
Danielle Prins, Volunteer, 250-864-4873 (In Kelowna)
Luc Gilbert, Volunteer, 581-742-4238 (in Québec)
For more information on the Ice Rides in Canada:
Twitter: #iceride
After the event, images available at: