“And thank you, also, for showing me a side of Greenpeace that I really didn't know about before.”

-Cathy Puchalski, Superintendent of Recreation, Arlington Heights Park District.

Sometimes the elephant in the room is that people just don't know what the environmental movement is really about — what Greenpeace truly stands for. After all, for almost 40 years we've been up against rich companies whose PR department budgets probably outstrip the GDP of Finland. Greenpeace's global warming campaign is challenging perceptions while simultaneously giving notice that people aren't going to sit by anymore and let their voices be ignored. And we're doing it right where the fat cats are most uncomfortable seeing us, and where we can best show everyone our true hearts for the cause: in the heart of American communities.

People know that global warming is here, and it's affecting us in our own backyards. They've bought their canvass bags and they're trying hard to remember to bring them every time they go to the grocery store. They're teaching their kids about recycling. They're making the small changes in their own lives that show Americans care.

They want their government to step up to the plate. But not everyone can ship out on the Rainbow Warrior or lead a march on Washington. After all, there are the bills, the job, the kids . . . But what's this? Greenpeace? At my local park? With — let me get this straight — activities for my kids, letter-writing tables for me, and a whole lot of smiling volunteers educating people and taking pictures and videos to send to Congress? I never knew Greenpeace did . . . that.

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Illinois' 10th District and from the Rolling Sunlight's crew, lots of people in Arlington Heights got a glimpse of how they can help stop global warming, right here, right now. And they're seeing a Greenpeace they never knew before.

- Adam Smit
Greenpeace field organizer, IL-10