Stranger Things actor David Harbour and Fantastic Beasts actress Alison Sudol have boarded a Greenpeace ship which is headed towards Antarctic waters. Together they will help make the case for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.
During the expedition, they will gather scientific evidence of the need for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to safeguard species like whales and penguins. The proposed 1.8 million square kilometre ocean “would be a safe haven for penguins, whales and seals, and put the waters off-limits to the industrial fishing vessels sucking up the tiny shrimp-like krill on which Antarctic life relies,” according to Frida Bengtsson, head of Greenpeace’s new Protect The Antarctic campaign.
The project has been backed by campaigners, scientists, and 800,000 people around the world. It also has the support of 40+ international celebrities, including the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Fearne Cotton, Stephen Fry, Annie Lennox, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Dame Helen Mirren and Simon Pegg.
David, who plays Police Chief Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, secured a place on board the Greenpeace ship after completing a challenge on Twitter which involved him getting over 200,000 retweets.
Speaking about the expedition, David said: “Well, Greenpeace says the Weddell Sea and its surroundings are home to a precious ecosystem, vital to sustaining our future. And that there’s penguins there. And that I’ll get to waddle around with them, discuss their parenting techniques with them and yes, yes, dance with them. And that they’ll film it. And that if maybe I get enough support from everybody, they’ll gimme that video, so I can rent it out to you (be kind, rewind please).
“Those who think I don’t have the sea legs to cross the Drake Passage, nor the cojones to scare away a rogue fur seal in my way, nor the animal magnetism to attract a group of curious penguins… Look it’s not the smart money bet… I mean, I’ve been known to do stranger things (insert canned laughter here).”
Alison, who plays Queenie Goldstein in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, added: “There is a massive movement to protect these waters, which provide invaluable refuge to marine wildlife, and I am thrilled to join Greenpeace as an Antarctic Ambassador! Not only do I get to shout about it everywhere I can, but I also get to put on my life jacket and long johns and go exploring.”
Greenpeace prides itself on making people change the way they think about the world. Acknowledging that the Earth is not an inexhaustible resource, the organisation aims to teach others to treat the planet with the protection it deserves.
For more information on Greenpeace, head to their website. You can also read more about the Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary campaign here.