Greenpeace pays respect to Sir Peter Blake

Greenpeace Executive Director, Margaret Crozier today expressed her shock and sorrow at the death of UN environmental ambassador, Sir Peter Blake.

“The death of Sir Peter is a tragedy and his loss will be keenly felt both by his family and friends and the New Zealand public who admired the sincerity of his convictions and his strength of purpose”, said Margaret Crozier.

In his latest role as Special Envoy for the United Nations Environment Programme, Sir Peter made it his personal mission to speak out against the human impact on our fragile Planet.

He drew attention to climate change affecting ecosystems around the globe in the Arctic, Antarctic and the Amazon.

Ms Crozier said, his death will sadly be added to the hundreds of others who have been murdered in the struggle to protect the forests of the Amazon from total devastation.

“The situation in the Amazon is out of control and the Brazilian government must act to end the escalating violence and ensure the rule of law.

“Local people have been killed speaking out against the illegal logging which is responsible for 80% of the timber industry in Brazil.

“Greenpeace campaigners in the region have received death threats as recently as last month. International pressure is needed to ensure that the Brazilian government acts to ensure security and protect civil rights.”

Contact: Margaret Crozier 09 630 6317(w) or 09 376-5994(h) or Brendan Lynch 025 790 817

© Scoop Media

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