by Gwen Edwards

Created on: March 24, 2010   Last Updated: March 27, 2010

The Role of Greenpeace in Environmental Protection

 From inception as the vision of deeply committed environmental activist back in the early 1970's Greenpeace International to has grown into perhaps the preeminent international environmental organization. Greenpeace employs a technique of non-violent confrontation with those it views as responsible for environmental destruction in its efforts to raise the level of public awareness on the core issues of Global warming, protection of our ocean and forest ecosystems, nuclear energy, toxins in our environment and sustainable agricultural and genetic engineering.

With offices in over 30 countries Greenpeace's scope is truly international in scope. It's over 2.8 million members are the organizations heart and soul and provide virtually all of the organization financial support. To remain an independent voice for the planet, the organization steadfastly refuses any contributions from governments and corporations.

 By focusing its efforts on the organizations core issues Greenpeace has been especially successful and has scored many victories over the years. Perhaps best know for it's efforts to end whaling which is ongoing to this day, Greenpeace earned it's first victory in 1972 a Greenpeace efforts being instrumental in the U.S government's decision to abandon its nuclear testing grounds at Amchitka Island, Alaska to its most recent victory convincing Kimberly-Clark(Kleenex) to end clear-cutting of the Northern Boreal forest and obtain 100 percent of it's wood fiber from environmentally responsible sources.

 Not one to rest on their laurels, Greenpeace continues to lead the battle today with current campaigns.

 Global Warming/Climate Change: Greenpeace is leading the way in making the public aware of the many varied threats to the environment presented by climate change. By exposing the lies of industries that try to put a “green” slant on their destructive practices Greenpeace provides a opposing force to the propaganda of the industries that are contributing to climate change. The organization is also working with scientists, governments, corporations, individuals and other environmental organizations worldwide in an effort to make positive change in the fight against climate change.

 Oceans: From the ongoing slaughter of whales to the depletion of fisheries worldwide by unsustainable fishing practices the protection of our ocean ecosystems is still a priority for Greenpeace.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>