P.M. BRIEFING : Ban Antarctic Mining: Cousteau
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LONDON — International environmentalist Jacques Cousteau called today for a permanent ban on mining in Antarctica, which he said would destroy “this last unspoiled continent of the planet.”
The captain of the Calypso also wants the creation of the first international nature reserve to protect Antarctica from development and pollution, ban all military activities but allow scientific research.
“The inhabitants of our vessel Planet Earth fully understand that the long-term survival of humanity depends largely on the successful protection of Antarctica, this last unspoiled continent of the planet,” Cousteau said at a news conference.
He said Antarctica, which covers 10% of the world’s land area, must be kept intact because it plays a key role in the planet’s climatic balance and holds the planet’s biggest reserve of fresh water--albeit frozen.
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