ADVERTISING
The life of evangelical churches and their spiritual leaders has been portrayed in some recent films and series. Can they help us start conversations?
The Southern Ocean will be sheltered from fishing in the next 35 years. The agreement comes after five years of negotiations. Russia was the last one to accept it.
The Ross sea. / Cortto (Flickr, CC)
Representatives of 24 countries and the European Union have reached a historic agreement for the Ross Sea, Antarctica, to become the largest marine protected area in the world.
More than 1.55 million square kilometres of the Southern Ocean will be sheltered from fishing in the next 35 years.
After five years of failed negotiations, the deal has been sealed by Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) at the annual meeting of Hobart.
The meetings aimed to analyse the proposals on the creation of three protected marine areas, which cover over five million square kilometers in Antarctic waters.
Marine reserve location.
MORE PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE
While the Ross Sea plan got the go-ahead, time ran out at the meeting to reach agreement on a second proposed protected area – the Australia and France-led East Antarctica sanctuary covering another one million square kilometre zone.
A third German-proposed plan is also in the works to protect the Weddell Sea, which extends from the southeast of South America over an area of some 2.8 million square kilometres.
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
“The proposal required some changes in order to gain the unanimous support of all 25 CCAMLR members and the final agreement balances marine protection, sustainable fishing and science interests ", said Murray McCully, Foreing Affairs Minister of New Zealand.
The agreement needed the consensus of the 24 member countries and the European Union.
"For the first time, countries have put aside their differences to protect a large area of the Southern Ocean and international waters", said Mike Walker, project manager of the Antarctic Ocean Alliance.
Ross sea is home to penguins.
RUSSIA, THE LAST ONE TO ACCEPT THE DEAL
Russia was the last government opposing the move, largely due to concerns over fishing rights, after China offered its support last year.
“We had a lot of talks with them. Secretary (John) Kerry reached out to Russian President (Vladimir) Putin and (Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov and I think that helped a great deal to convince Russia to come on board”, Evan Bloom, head of the US delegation at the meeting, told AFP.
CRITICAL TO STUDY MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
The Ross Sea is one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world, home to penguins, seals, Antarctic toothfish, whales and huge numbers of krill, a staple food for many species.
It is considered critical for scientists to study how marine ecosystems function and to understand the impacts of climate change on the ocean.
The psalmist alludes to the tall cypress trees that supported the heavy nests of the storks to highlight the way God cares for his creation.
There is not a single friend who can understand you like God can. He suffered more for us than we will ever be able to take in.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Glimpses of the ELF 2019 conference
Evangelical leaders from across Europe meet in Wisla (Poland) to network for mission in a range of fields. The vision is to renew the biblical church and evangelise Europe.
AEA Plaza opens to serve African evangelicals
After many years of labour, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa officially opened its new centre in Nairobi, Kenya. “Africa, your time has come!”, said the World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Efraim Tendero.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
Mercy Ships volunteers perform 100,000th free surgical procedure
The milestone represents an important point in the nonprofit’s 40-year legacy.
What are the most important truths that Christians should seek to convey in a secular context?
Espen Ottosen talks about the truths Christians should share with people who have little knowledge and/or many prejudices about Christian belief.
A 50-metre high monument will encourage Britons to pray
Thousands of visitors will have the chance to discover “the God who is alive who listens and answers prayers”.
John Lennox on Acts
Professor John Lennox examines the three supernatural events in the first three chapters of Acts: Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit's descent at Pentecost, and the healing of a lame man by the Apostles.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or