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G R E N P E A C E
P r e s s R e l e a s e
14.10.94
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In a statement issued this week, World Meteorological Organisation scientists said they have measured a 60% ozone depletion over the Antarctic -- the worst ever for this time of year. The ozone hole is already larger than the size of Europe and the international scientists confirmed that the worst is yet to come.
The international scientific community was surprised by this development as the ozone layer was expected to recover this year in the wake of the Mt Pinatubo volcanic eruption.
"This news puts even more responsibility on the World Bank to cut its relationship with chemical companies and start doing something about the ozone crisis," said Steve Kretzmann of Greenpeace.
Last week, to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the World Bank, Greenpeace released an investigation which showed that the Bank has spent only 6% of the $92 million it has received under the Montreal Protocol to help developing countries switch away from ozone destroying technologies. In addition, the Bank is still funding chemicals which deplete the ozone layer. "As Finance Ministers meet in Madrid this week to discuss the world economy, they must take note of the message they are getting from the environment. Ministers must insist that the Bank gives their industry the tools it needs to help us get out of the ozone crisis," said Kretzmann.
He noted that parties to the Montreal Protocol are also meeting this week in Nairobi to discuss international efforts to cut back ozone destroying substances.
"More and more the focus is turning to the developing countries, who need the Bank's money to get out of dirty technologies. The Bank may try to refute Greenpeace's report, but it cannot ignore the scientific evidence," said Kretzmann.
World Bank officials have attempted to simply dismiss the Greenpeace report.
However, the Bank's critique of the Greenpeace report is superficial and rhetorical. A point-by-point rebuttal to the Bank's response is available from Greenpeace.
Yesterday Greenpeace protested the Bank's inaction by hanging a banner which read "WORLD BANK: NO $ FOR OZONE DESTRUCTION" at the annual meeting opening ceremony. The two activists, Peter Morris, of Australia and John Mead, of the UK, were held in custody overnight. As of 2.30 pm today, they had not been released.
Please note: Call Greenpeace Spain for interviews and information. The World Bank is refusing access to all six Greenpeace delegates at the meeting. Numbers: 34 1 543 2702; 549 9827; 543 4704 Cindy Baxter, Steve Kretzmann