Greenpeace

The Department of Commerce was declared a climate crime scene this morning. Greenpeace activists descended on its DC headquarters to try and free the climate talks, which were being held hostage by the Chamber and its clients. Chamber lobbyists work for the very industries that create and profit from criminal climate destruction.

Even if you weren’t in DC to witness the action as it progressed, thousands of people tuned in to Twitter to get updates live from the field as the events unfolded.

The Greenpeace twitter kept followers engaged in all the activities. The Chamber of Commerce decided to use twitter to try to discount everything Greenpeace was saying. This is where things started to heat up.

My favorite reply of the Chamber (@chamberpost) was how the activities disrupted a holiday concert for a local charter school. At first glance, it would seem as if the Chamber really cares for the youth of our country. It’s a clever way for the Chamber to make Greenpeace look like the bad guys. We disrupted a concert. But, let’s take a look at what the Chamber is doing to the future of all the youth in America.

As a parent, I’m very concerned with the effects of global warming on my son’s future. I want him to have a bright future and a healthy planet to live on. And, thanks to the Chamber and all their polluting clients, his future may be tarnished forever.


Companies that contribute to global warming (oil, coal) create a huge profit. The Chamber of Commerce lobbies for what’s in the best interest of these companies, their profits remaining huge. The Chamber doesn’t lobby for my son or the children at the charter school that were visiting the building today.

Currently, our future is in the hands of world leaders over in Copenhagen. They are in the final days of negotiating a climate treaty that has the potential to either save the day or keep us on a path to dangerous climate change.

I hope our world leaders will do the right thing and protect our future and not the bank accounts of polluting companies. It would be a crime, indeed, if world leaders gathered for two weeks and didn’t come out with strong, binding treaty to combat the effects of global warming.

We need YOU! Please take action today.

--Michelle

 

What happens once you sign a petition or take action online? If you're like me, you've signed up for lots of group's email lists and get newsletters, donation requests and calls to action. But, what happens to my name when I sign a petition? Is it used? Does it help?

Today, we got creative at Greenpeace. We used all YOUR names to create an actual Greenpeace banner. When we started the online petition to President Obama we couldn’t tell you all the details, but we hinted that it would be something big, really BIG! More than 50,000 amazing activists signed our petition urging President Obama to sign a legally binding treaty in Copenhagen to stop a climate catastrophe and unleash a clean energy revolution.

Our graphic designer took all 50,000 names and created a beautiful banner. I can tell you, first hand, that the banner is HUGE! It’s 80x40-feet and weighs about 100 pounds. We thought the eve of President Obama’s departure for Copenhagen would be a great time to unfurl the banner, right across the street from the White House.

It wasn’t easy, but we did it! About two dozen of us bundled up (it actually snowed here over the weekend). We opened up the banner and situated it just perfectly so we could get the message out to President Obama and the rest of the world.

 

President Obama: LEAD and Save the Climate

Simultaneously, while we were displaying the banner we were also faxing all 50,000 names to the President. He got the message, in more ways that one.

I was also tweeting with one hand, while my other hand was holding the banner. If you’re not signed up for Greenpeace twitter updates what are you waiting for? You can get real-time updates from us and stay in the loop and cool activities as they unfold.

President Obama and many world leaders are heading to Copenhagen for climate talks. They need to do a lot more than talk. They need to sign a legally binding treaty with sharp teeth.

We’ll be watching our world leaders to see if they can achieve a strong, binding treaty on climate change.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition! Take a look at the banner images and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Our banner will leave a lasting impression on the President as he heads over to Copenhagen.

--Michelle

With the start of the Copenhagen Summit set to start in early December, Greenpeace and the rest of the world watches and waits to see if this really “is a new day... a new era" on climate change and if Obama is the leader he has promised he would be.

Released today, a Greenpeace briefing highlights some of the key areas where the climate legislation in Congress falls short and outlines how Obama and the US can do more to deliver deeper emission cuts by harnessing the potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency. 

Read more...

 

 

The holiday season is upon us. While we all enjoy some time off from work and time spent with family and friends – it may also mean some uncomfortable situations for many. Whether you are vegetarian stuck at a dinner table with a giant turkey in the middle or an environmentalist that ends up sitting next to Uncle Tom – a global warming skeptic – here's a helpful guide for getting through this holiday season with your sanity intact...



Here are some tips for a peaceful Thanksgiving:

• Bring your own tofurkey to ruffle their feathers. If you don’t have a tofurkey to pass around – don't sweat it – the best food at Thanksgiving is the sides anyway (sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and rolls).

• Bring a compact fluorescent light bulb to give your host instead of wine or flowers.

• Don’t hide behind the mashed potatoes when asked about your thoughts on global warming. People ask because they want to learn. Share what you know and give others the chance to be informed about the truth.

• As you sit down to eat -- remind grandma that the rolls still in the oven.

• If there is a lull in the dinner chatter, share a story about your environmental activism. For example, the day you dressed up as a blue whale and walked around the city.

• If you can, ride your bike home from Thanksgiving dinner – you'll save on carbon miles and burn some calories too.

• Avoid the Black Friday Mania! Skip the long lines and avoid all those bargain shoppers who are sure to knock you over for the latest gadget.

• Get outside! Breathe in some fresh air, listen to the birds sing and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves. Give thanks for what truly is important in life.

--Michelle

 

We've all seen the horrific images of whaling. The harpoons. The sea turning red. It's a terrible vision and hopefully it may be a vision we won't have to see much longer!

We've just heard a bit of good news out of Japan. A major review of Japanese government spending could spell the end to whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

The review committee, commissioned to cut wasteful programs by Japan's new government, has proposed massive cuts in subsidies to a body which funds the so-called whaling research program.  

 

Without government subsidies, the whaling program would be doomed.

The Spending Review Committee recommended that the Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Fund (OFCF), which gives loans to the Institute for Cetacean Research (ICR) to run the discredited science program, have all of its funding revoked, except money needed for loans in 2010.

The OFCF claims it needs $780 million for various programs, including whaling, in 2010. The Review Committee and Cabinet Office will determine by early next year if the proposed operations for 2010 are actually "necessary" or should also be cut.

Soon, President Obama will be in Japan meeting with the new Prime Minister. Perhaps, President Obama could bring up whale conservation in their discussions. Take action and tell the President that whales are important to save.

We're keeping our fins crossed that once, and for all, Japan will hang up their harpoons and leave the whales alone.

 

--Michelle

 

News of the historic chemical security bill, just approved by the House of Representatives, has been heating up and spreading far and wide. Check out this editorial in the New York Times.

More than eight years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the House of Representatives has passed a bill to shore up security at this country’s chemical plants. The requirements are reasonable, vital and long overdue. If terrorists were to attack a chemical plant near an American city or large town, they could unleash a toxic cloud that could endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands.

Environmental groups, most notably Greenpeace, and organized labor have been pushing Congress to enact tough chemical plant security legislation, but the chemical industry — concerned about the cost — has long resisted.

The House bill is a carefully written compromise that is more than accommodating to the concerns of industry. It focuses only on the highest-risk plants, and it would make them use safer chemicals or processes only when the Department of Homeland Security determines that they are feasible and cost-effective.

Read more...

While we're excited the bill was approved by the House, now we have to stay focused on the Senate. Soon, they will take up chemical security legislation. We want the Senate legislation to be strong, too.

 

 

Take action! Tell your Senator it's time to introduce strong chemical security legislation in the Senate.

--Michelle

One of the weird consequences of overfishing is the very real possibility that jellyfish will replace the niche left by fish species. It makes for nice scary pieces of news, like this bit out of Japan. A ten-ton fishing boat was capsized after dozens of giant jellyfish were caught in their net. As the crew tried to haul the net onboard, the boat started to capsize and they were thrown into the sea.

The three men are safe. Thankfully, another trawler in the area was able to rescue them.

If we are about to be taken over by jellyfish, let's try to look on the bright side. Maybe they taste good? Maybe they're healthy for us to eat. I really can’t say, but perhaps we should be open-minded.

British cartoonist Steven Appleby tried to find a way we could cook jellyfish. And, at the rate our oceans are being overfished, you'll want to watch this video, just to be sure you're well-prepared.

 

We've been pressuring Trader Joe's to adopt sustainable seafood purchasing policies throughout all of their stores—for months. But, they still haven't changed their ways.

Store managers and corporate big-wigs have felt the heat from Greenpeace's mock website, relentless phone calls from supporters, poignant karaoke songs from shoppers and in-store demonstrations across the country.

Have they been ignoring the public's cries for ocean protection? Or are they simply unwilling to tell the truth about their actions to their consumers?

Whatever the reason for their complete lack of responsibility, it's high-time to turn up the heat, once again. Ocean conservation is too important to ignore!

Please, take action today! Tell Merchandising V.P., Matt Sloan, to clear up the story for Trader Joe's with this simple message: "We're still waiting for Trader Joe's sustainable seafood policy!"

We will continue to demand sustainable seafood until Trader Joe's makes that a reality. 

 

 

Greenpeace received word this morning that Clorox will be switching production methods at all of its factories to eliminate the use of chlorine gas. This will eliminate the risk of injury or death to 13 million Americans in the case of an accident or attack on one of these plants. This announcement also provides Congress with another good reason to pass comprehensive chemical security legislation being taken up in the House on Wednesday of this week.

“By leading the way in eliminating the potential consequences of a catastrophic terrorist attack or accident, Clorox’s announcement also provides Congress with compelling new evidence to enact chemical plant security legislation,” said Rick Hind, Greenpeace legislative director. 

Take action and tell Congress to put safety first, too. 

Today, President Obama gave an energy-themed speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His speech is just ahead of hearings on the climate and energy legislation scheduled to be taken up by the Senate next week.

Here's a statement by Damon Moglen, Greenpeace’s Global Warming Campaign Director:

“President Obama’s speech comes at a critical moment in the national conversation about how our country must respond to the global warming crisis, and we welcome his renewed engagement in this critical debate.

“However, with negotiations stalled just six weeks before international climate talks in Copenhagen, the world needs President Obama to go beyond political speeches and make firm commitments based on science.

“The climate and energy legislation passed in the House and now the similar Senate bill have been a source of international disappointment. The bills’ weak targets for reducing emissions, and billions in wasted giveaways to the coal industry, handicaps America’s ability to build a clean energy future at home and to provide global leadership on this life and death matter.

"It is clear that Congress will not pass legislation this year that goes far enough and fast enough in addressing the demands of climate change. The President must get out of the back seat and take the wheel of America’s climate policy. At a domestic level, the President needs to assert executive authority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate decisive growth in the clean energy economy.

"At the international level, Mr Obama should be articulating ambitious vision and commitments for Copenhagen which are in-scale with the global need to address climate change.

"Tomorrow, the most widespread day of global political action the planet has ever seen will demand that world leaders secure a fair, ambitious, and binding treaty at Copenhagen capable of preventing the worst impacts of global warming. We hope President Obama will be listening because today the American plan to address the crisis falls short of this imperative.”

When you close your eyes and picture a polar bear, what do you see? A couple years ago, when I closed my eyes, I saw a mama polar bear with two adorable baby cubs playing in the snow. But, now when I close my eyes I have the sad imagery of a desperate polar bear, thin, shaking and clinging to a small piece of ice, stranded in the middle of a cold arctic sea.

Polar bears are the unfortunate victim of our dependence on oil. When decisions are being made, big oil wins out and polar bears are left to die. They just can’t catch a real break. Their habitat is quickly disappearing – melting ice from global warming. And, if that’s not enough, the land that is still solid is being drilled and polluted for oil exploration.

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to designate 200,000 square miles acres of coastal land and waters along the north coast of Alaska as critical habitat for polar bears. This proposal was in response to the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Greenpeace.

But, just as the polar bears were about to celebrate we remembered that this week another Interior Department agency, the Minerals Management Service, approved oil-company plans for exploratory drilling in the polar bear’s habitat in the Beaufort Sea. And, the Interior is considering a similar drilling proposal in the Chukchi Sea.

How can polar bears survive when the agency with the power to protect them is schizophrenic?  The Department of Interior (DOI) declared its intent to protect polar bear habitat in the Arctic, and simultaneously sacrificed that same habitat to feed our unsustainable addiction to oil.

Having a hard time keeping up? Here are some cliff notes...

• May 2008 the DOI listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

• At the same time, the DOI issued a special rule exempting greenhouse gas emissions from certain provisions of the Act.

• May 2009, new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar reaffirmed this Bush-era exemption for the fossil-fuels industry.

• A court challenge to this regulation by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Greenpeace is ongoing.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Interior has until June 30, 2010 to finalize critical habitat designation for the polar bear. Designating polar bear critical habitat is a good first step toward protecting this species, but as long as the Secretary of the Interior maintains that he can do nothing about greenhouse emissions and global warming, protections for the polar bear will ultimately be ineffective.

 

 

I gave my Macbook a hug last night after reading on Apple's website that it has cleared the last hurdle in eliminating toxic PVC plastic. Apple is now the first PC maker to completely eliminate hazardous brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride plastic in its new iMac and Macbook.

Removing PVC from PC power cords was the last step in Apple’s industry leading position on toxics elimination. Apple was first with PCs virtually free of BFRs and PVC (except for the power cord) in March this year. While HP recently produced their first BFR/PVC free (except power cord) model, Apple has again moved further ahead of the competition.

While removing the last use of PVC might not sound like a big deal, it means Apple’s new products will be safer and easier to recycle and cause less pollution at the end of life. There were significant technical and safety certification barriers to finding PVC alternatives, but Apple has now proved it's now possible and has completed the phase out, while reducing product price and boosting profits.

Apple’s PVC free power cords are only available in certain markets currently but should be available more widely when safety certification is obtained.

This lays down the gauntlet to other major PC makers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo and Acer to catch up with Apple again, and we’ll be keeping up our pressure on them to match Apple’s lead.

A bit of history

Back in 2006 we launched our Green my Apple campaign because we knew Apple had the potential to lead the industry towards greener, less toxic products. Huge numbers of Apple fans also called for a Greener Apple and the new iMac and MacBook are the final steps on the road Apple started down with Steve Jobs May 2007. This news marks an active few weeks for Apple’s environment team. Apple deserves credit for these positive moves but also big credit to all those Apple fans who helped make environment a top priority for Apple.

Thursday, dozens of activists gathered outside the Democratic fundraiser in San Francisco. Activists hoped to get a glimpse of President Obama as he approached the fundraiser to speak to his party.

 

 

San Francisco has long been a city that’s given President Obama strong support-- in part, this support hinged on his promise to lead on global warming. Unfortunately, Obama has so far allowed industry lobbyists to drive US climate policy, in spite of the billions of people whose lives are touched by climate change. Like many regions of the world experiencing the early effects of global warming, California has suffered from record wildfires and water shortages.

To make sure he'd get the message that more is required, activists stood on the street corner and used music players to broadcast samples of Obama’s statements committing to leadership in addressing climate change. The audio also included a challenge from activists to live up to his promises to lead the world toward a solution to the crisis.

Activists had a very simple message of the President, “please be the leader you vowed to be.”

President Obama needs to go to Copenhagen and push for a strong world treaty that does what science says will protect future generations. So far, he's let Congress take the lead, but they have fallen dramatically short of what science says is necessary. The world desperately needs the president to be the leader he promised he would be.

Take action

René Ngongo has been working closely with Greenpeace to save the Congo Basin Forests (the second largest tropical forest after the Amazon) since 2004. And, he is now being recognized for his good work.

René began his work for the Amazon first in his capacity as head of OCEAN and now as Political Advisor for Greenpeace Africa when he led the opening of our first office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Right Livelihood Award is also known as the alternative Nobel Prize. It honors those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. Several winners are announced every year and receive the prize in early December. We are beyond happy that René is one of them.

Congratulations René!!

 

Global warming is the challenge of our generation. And, while the issue may be daunting, it is inspiring to know that people everywhere are taking action to save the climate.

Our future depends on an ambitious global climate deal. Are you up for the challenge?

I'm always amazed at all the beautiful pictures Greenpeace captures. I wanted to share a slideshow of images from around the globe. Greenpeace is an international organization with offices in more than 30 countries. Take a visual tour with me and discover some amazing actions from around the world.

 

Hope you enjoy the pictures :)

-Michelle 

The banner has come down. Greenpeace activists are safe. And, after two hours hanging from the West End Bridge, the 80x30-foot banner spoke to world leaders meeting in Pittsburgh at the G20 summit.

"Why am I here today?" The activists share their story in this inspirational video.



I get goose bumps every time I watch this video. The line that sticks in my head each time I watch is, "as Americans we need to do the right thing, especially when it's hard."

It's not easy to change the way the world operates. There is no "easy button" to turn off all the pollution and resource destruction. But, the reality is—burning fossil fuels for energy is destroying our planet. We need a fundamental switch to clean, renewable energy in order for future generations to have, well, a future.



I realize that's not easy. It will take all of us working together, building "green" infrastructure. But, I believe that fighting for a clean healthy future for my son is worth it. I want to be able to look him in the eyes and tell him I did everything I could to make sure he could touch a 1,000 year old tree, swim in pollutant-free rivers, breath fresh air and see glaciers.

I'm not a climber, but I was able to hang my very own Greenpeace banner—on Facebook! There is a really neat new app, try it out.

And, if you haven’t taken action yet, please do. President Obama needs to hear from all of us that we are ready for a strong world climate treaty. Together, we can do great things.

--Michelle

Greenpeace activists are hanging off a Pittsburgh bridge with a massive banner displaying our message to G20 leaders gathering for tomorrow's summit. The banner takes the form of stylized "road sign" that warns of the political maneuvering and delay that have put a international climate treaty in jeopardy as the world enters the final stretch on the road to Copenhagen.

An update I just read on the Pittsburgh Business Times said, "Security personnel surrounded the area, with a bomb squad car directing traffic, and Army Corp., state police and city of Pittsburgh boats located in the water near the bridge."

We are all gathered here at the office watching a live video feed of activists repelling from the Pittsburgh bridge. We are all biting our fingernails, waiting to see what happens next.

Watch with us!

And, when the video gets taken down – you can follow live updates on the Greenpeace website.

The reason Greenpeace hung this massive banner is because world leaders need to work towards global warming solutions NOW!

World financial representatives and leaders of the G20 (19 of the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union) are meeting in Pittsburgh to discuss both the global financial crisis and the global climate crisis.

It is important for G20 leaders to kick-start economic recovery through clean energy investment. These elements are vital to achieve a good deal in Copenhagen and avert catastrophic global warming.

Are you ready to step up to the plate? Join us in pressuring world leaders to act now before it’s too late. We can show world leaders the impact that civil society can have on solving the world’s challenges when we are unified.

Now more than ever, we need President Obama's leadership to stop global warming, and he needs to hear from YOU! 

Watching The Age of Stupid reminded me of one of my favorite movies, The Usual Suspects. It also starred actor Pete Postlethwaite. "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This quote the Usual Suspects was dancing around in my head as the movie showed the year 2020, a world where global warming effects is at its peak and devastation is all around. We have spent so much time and energy convincing all the nay-sayers that global warming truly exists, that we have precious little time to enact solutions that will address issues before it's too late.

The movie is about an archivist in the devastated world of the future, asking the question: "Why didn't we stop climate change when we still had the chance?" He looks back on footage of real people around the world in the years leading up to 2015 before runaway climate change took place.

Last night, the movie premiered in New York City. Politicians and celebrities strolled the green carpet past paparazzi into a truly low-carbon solar-powered movie theater.


Hip Hop Artist, David Banner

The premiere was broadcast live last night to 440 movie theaters across the United States. And, today, the global premier3 continues on over 330 movie screens in 63 nations around the globe. The total audience watching this event well exceeds one million people.

Actress, Heather Graham on the green carpet

Check your local theater to see if this movie is playing in your community. And, take action to tell world leaders that you’re ready for a meaningful (with sharp teeth) global climate treaty, now while we still have the chance.

Greenpeace activist Ashley Mirabile travels in a 'you-turn-the-earth' globe

 

Today, Hundreds of volunteers form a human countdown in Central Park as Climate Week kicks off in NYC. Global leaders have only three months to get their act together and sign a strong Climate Treaty in Copenhagen. Take action today and help show our leaders that this movement is massive and unstoppable.

Image © Avaaz

I was listening to Bill Maher last week and something he said about global warming that had me scratching my head. “And when it comes to 'bad for the environment,' nothing compares with the business of raising animals for food, which causes about 40% more global warming than all the cars and planes combined. If you care about the planet, it's actually better to eat a salad in a Hummer than a cheeseburger in a Prius.”

Then, I stumbled upon this Greenpeace video that gives a pretty good breakdown of why meat has such a large carbon footprint.



As someone who cares about the environment, you are probably searching for things you can do to help protect it. And, here is one more way you can make your life a little greener.

--Michelle 

This weekend I stopped in my "neighborhood" Trader Joe's to escape the hot, humid weather and do a little investigating. Are they really selling seafood that they shouldn't? And, if so, how much? I was pumped with caffeine, armed with my camera phone and ready to find some answers.

The store was small, but there were seafood products in almost every aisle. The frozen section, canned goods, pre-packaged meals in the produce aisle and end-caps.  It didn’t take me very long to find seafood that was less-than-sustainable. In my scouring I netted lots of seafood that Greenpeace has on their red list. I easily hooked swordfish, yellowfin tuna, tropical shrimp, Atlantic salmon, cod, halibut and albacore tuna.

As I prowled the aisles searching for more red list seafood a strange announcement came over the intercom, “Would Mary please report to the captain’s desk?” What? Where was I, a grocery store or a marina? I admit Trader Joe’s has a fun décor and theme, but the fun stopped once I learned Trader Joe’s is harming the oceans by stocking their stores full of seafood that is helping to destroy the oceans.

What is Trader Joe’s thinking? They have organic produce. I didn’t see any plastic bags. Do they have a secret evil side to them that hates the oceans? Were they unaware that their seafood harms the environment?

Then, the sad truth dawned on me -- like everything in this world, it’s all about the bottom line. Trader Joe’s can buy unsustainable seafood cheaply and sell it to all of us without sharing the dirty details. And, unless we make a big stink about it, they will continue to do so.

Trader Joe shoppers want a good bargain, of course, but they also want to feel good about their purchases. That’s why Trader Joe’s spends so much money on fun in-store signs, web marketing and newsletters. They proclaim they are green and doing their part to help our planet. But, they aren’t doing enough.  

The pressure all of us have been applying is working. Trader Joe posted a note on their website stating, “As we’ve often mentioned, we listen to our customers. Hearing recent feedback, our goal is to offer seafood options that fit customer needs ranging from food safety and taste, to concern over the environment.”

But, they are still selling tons of red list seafood. And so, we need to keep the pressure up. Here are four quick things you can do to help. You’ll feel good after you do, of that, I’m sure!

• Call Trader Joe's and tell them to stop selling seafood that isn’t sustainable!

• When you are in the store shopping, find some red list seafood, bring it to a manger and ask them to stop selling the items in their stores. Here are some tips >>

• Follow Greenpeace and Traitor Joe on Twitter.

• Fan Traitor Joe on Facebook.

--Michelle

Watch Greenpeace Research Director Kert Davies on Democracy Now. Kert explains how the leaked memo reveals that the American Petroleum Institute is asking oil companies to recruit employees, retirees, and contractors to take part in rallies against climate change legislation.

Watch now >>

This morning HP headquarters received a very colorful message from Greenpeace activists. They scaled the HP building in Palo Alto, California and painted, "Hazardous Products" on the roof.

The message was simple and the medium that they used to paint was youthful. The Greenpeace activists used non-toxic children's finger-paint to cover over 11,500 square ft. of HP's roof. That's roughly the size of 2-and-a-half basketball courts.

Greenpeace is tired of hearing excuses from HP. They are backtracking on their commitment to eliminate PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from their products by the end of 2009. Instead, they are extending the timeframe two more years until they go green.

If Apple can produce electronics that are virtually free of PVC and completely BFR-free — what is the hold-up for HP? They are good at making excuses for why they can’t honor their green commitments instead of putting their energy towards actually going green.

What ticks me off is that when HP says they are pushing the deadline two more years before they phase out toxic chemicals—that means two more years of hazardous, deadly pollutants damaging the environment and human health.

Take PVC for example. It is a nasty chemical. PVC contaminates humans and the environment during its production, use, and disposal. It is the single most environmentally damaging of all plastics, and can form dioxin, a known carcinogen, when burned. Two more years of PVC, HP, come on!

And, what about BFRs? They are equally nasty. BFRs are highly resistant to degradation in the environment and are able to bio-accumulate (build up in animals and humans) and can be released from products during use, leading to their presence in household dust and resulting in increased human exposure.

There is no reason for HP to continue using these toxic products. It's technically feasible and consumers like YOU and me want it too. Go green, HP, and stop backtracking on your commitment to a healthy, cleaner future for our planet.

 

The latest edition of Greenpeace's "Guide to Greener Electronics" reveals that the world's biggest PC makers (Hewlett Packard, Dell and Lenovo) have failed to improve their low scores. For shame! All three companies received a penalty point for backtracking on their commitments to eliminate PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants from their products by the end of 2009.

The guide ranks the 17 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TV's and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change.

Greenpeace is calling on companies to eliminate BFRs and PVC from their product range. These substances are harmful throughout the entire lifecycle of a product; phase-out reduces pollution during the production and disposal of electronics and makes products capable of being recycled in a responsible manner.

It's technically feasible, and consumers want it too, but above all the electronics industry needs to clean up urgently as a matter of principle. Their e-waste is poisoning the poor.

Download the report for more information. You can also see how each company stacked up without downloading the entire report.

 

Grocery shopping. It's a weekly chore that I dread. I have to try and remember my list, coupons, the weekly store flyer and my canvas bags.

Greenpeace is pressuring supermarkets so we can have one less thing to worry about when we go to the grocery store–whether or not the seafood is sustainable. We all have enough to remember, so it’s time for supermarkets to ensure that all their seafood has been caught in a sustainable way and the fish have descriptive labels so we can make informed decisions when we are at the seafood counter.

Greenpeace wants the entire seafood industry to change. Seafood businesses have a responsibility to make sure that the seafood they are selling is sustainable, so that we will be able to enjoy seafood without wondering if our purchases are contributing to the collapse of our ocean ecosystems.



Greenpeace released an updated scorecard. In their third release some supermarkets did better and I’m excited that the stores are listening to their customers and making positive changes. But, other supermarkets continue to do poorly.

In the third scorecard release, Wegmans received top ranking followed by Ahold USA, while Whole Foods dropped to third place from its December 2008 first place ranking. Trader Joe’s remains ranked at # 17, the worst ranking of the national supermarket chains surveyed. Three regional chains ranked at the bottom.

Wonder how your favorite supermarket ranked? Find out now. Greenpeace put together an interactive map. All you have to do is pick your state and a list of grocery stores will be displayed. You can see if your grocery store passed, failed or fell somewhere in the middle.

That's why we're here—to get the companies to make the right decisions.

Did you know that an attack on one U.S. chemical plants could kill thousands of people, but despite the warnings, nothing has been done to prevent such a disaster? According to the EPA, there are about 100 chemical plants in the U.S. that each threaten a million or more people! Homeland Security has identified 7,000 U.S. chemical plants as “high risk.”

Currently, legislation is pending in Congress that would protect Americans by requiring more widespread use of safer chemicals or processes by chemical plants.

We just learned that the House Homeland Security Committee will vote on this chemical security legislation on Thursday, June 18th.

We need your help before the vote. Please take a minute to urge members of the Homeland Security Committee to support a strong bill and oppose any weakening amendments.

According to the EPA, 300 chemical plants in the U.S. put over 100 million Americans at risk. An attack or accident at just one of them could kill or injure thousands of people. But there are safer chemicals or processes available for each of these risks. More than 200 chemical plants have converted to safer chemicals and processes since the 9/11 attacks. The Washington, DC sewage treatment plant switched from using chlorine gas to a safer chemical within 90 days after 9/11.

Here is how you can help:

1) IDENTIFY THE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEMBER FROM YOUR STATE. For the names of Committee members in your state go to: http://homeland.house.gov/

2) CALL THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT (202) 225-3121 and urge them to make "The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009" strong and oppose all attempts to weaken it.

If you have time, tell us how your call went by posting a comment on my blog.

 

On October 10, 2008 a coalition of more than 30 chemical worker unions, public health groups, environmental groups (including Greenpeace), and government reform groups sent a letter to Congress urging them to pass a bill similar to H.R. 5577 before the temporary law expires next October.

T-shirts hold a unique place in Greenpeace campaigns, as they not only sum up our work in a creative and visual way, but even when looked at in isolation they tell crucial stories. They help to create iconic images, speak when those wearing them cannot, and otherwise help unify people behind a common goal.

Greenpeace Japan has collected over 180 shirts from other offices around the world. This exhibition is just a glimpse at some of the shirts that have helped shape our campaigns over 30-plus years.

 

Good news for people who live in Maryland and Washington, DC. We can now opt for green energy to power our homes. Local residents who are signed up with either Pepco or Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) can now obtain 50% or 100% of their electricity through wind energy via a program called Clean Currents.

And, it is really cost effective, too. Recently, the rates dropped to the point where they are now the same or  less than normal PEPCO rates. You can learn more or sign up online at: https://www.cleancurrents.com/purchase-energy.asp

I just signed up for my home and it was really simple. 

--Michelle

 

Today, only one country in the world continues to conduct whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary: Japan.

There was a time in Japan during the food shortage hardships of the postwar period when whale meat was taken as a valuable source of protein. We are alive today thanks in a very real sense to this gift, so should we not reach out in gratitude to whales now and seek a path of peaceful coexistence? This is the message behind a beautiful new animated work by director Yamamura Koji. I hope you enjoy the video...

--Michelle

 

I wanted to share some recent activities of my Greenpeace colleagues in Colombia. Recently, they "invaded" the Colombian Senate with an inflatable giant.

Senators and Representatives to the Chamber were greeted at their office building with the Greenpeace whale, lots and lots of them went out to the hall and looked over the balconies, some of them took pictures with Greenpeace banners, and most importantly asked a LOT of questions of what they were doing there.

Greenpeace visited the Colombian government to ask them to join the International Whaling Commission and vote for whale conservation. And, it looks like they may have succeeded.

At the end of the day, the Senate had voted unanimously to approve the project. Three senators publicly THANKED Greenpeace for being there, for having "awakened" Colombia to the importance of whale conservation. At the end the vote was taken and every senator raised their card and shouted "APPROVED!"

The project now moves to the Chamber of Representatives in hopes that they will approve it as well. Looks like they are off to a good start. I hope the momentum for the project continues.

--Michelle

 

 

Bright and early this morning I got a text picture message from my friend. The message said—Greenpeace Strikes! And she included a quick snap of my fellow Greenpeacers hanging a banner across the street from the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC.

Greenpeace was hanging a banner to tell the Ministers from the 17 biggest global emitters that the planet is "too big to fail." The ministers are in DC to talk about the climate as part of the Major Economies Forum.

Greenpeace is calling on world leaders to take personal responsibility for guaranteeing a strong, legally binding and fair agreement at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, in December.

My hope is that these world leaders will move quickly to act on global warming solutions. We need more action and less talking and meetings! Time is running out. The leaders need to use this meeting as an opportunity to fast-track discussions on avoiding catastrophic warming.  

A peak in global emissions by 2015 followed by a rapid decline to as close to zero as possible by 2050 is crucial to protect the climate. The industrialized world must commit to deeper cuts in emissions and provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries to enable them to switch to clean energy, stop deforestation and adapt to those climate impacts that are now unavoidable.

President Obama has said that the US is ready to lead on global warming. I’d like to see us start leading today by encouraging world leaders to get moving on strong global warming solutions in their home countries.

Check out the slideshow for more images from the banner hang >>

--Michelle

Yesterday was Earth Day. What did you do to celebrate? This year, I was feeling very nostalgic. I remembered my first introduction to Earth Day. Someone was giving out free tree seedlings in a store parking lot. I excitedly took the tree home, planted it and patiently watched it grow. Each Earth Day I found new tree seedlings to adopt and plant in my backyard. I gave each tree a name. My backyard soon became a tree nursery and now the trees are very big. When I was younger, my dad was eager for me to take the trees and plant them elsewhere. But, now I think he has become attached to them. I have offered to transplant them in my new backyard, but he likes them too much.

This year, I introduced my son to Earth Day. We got a bunch of pine seedlings and brought them to his school to share with his friends. I hope they will have as much fun planting the trees and watching them grow as I did when I was younger. I wrote up and attached a tree poem to each tree. Making the lines rhyme was harder than I thought.

Happy Earth Day!
You don’t have to celebrate alone.

Adopt a baby Loblolly Pine
This one needs a good home.

Keep it cool and moist
Until you plant it outside.

With enough water—it will thrive,
Loblolly pines love lots of sunshine.

X marks the spot, so
find a nice place for your tree to stay.

Now it’s time to start digging.
A 5-inch hole is key, so please don’t stray.

Place the roots in the hole
and lightly pack with dirt.

Make sure the tree is nice and straight
Adjusting it a bit really won’t hurt.
 
Care for your Loblolly Pine
And it will grow and grow.

Give it enough time and this little seedling
may grow taller than you could ever know?

Have fun!

I hope you had a fun celebrating Earth Day and bringing new generations into the celebrations along with you!

--Michelle
 

I can imagine a clean energy future, can you?? Send a Happy Earth Day ecard to your friends and family. Get them thinking about the environment today and everyday.

Send your ecards today...

 

Have you ever wondered what goes into your can of tuna fish? Turtles, smaller fish, marine mammals and even some species of tuna are at risk from pirate fishing and irresponsible fishery management. As more and more people get an appetite for tuna, less and less can be found in the seas. Watch the Greenpeace video and open up a can of truth.

Do you know how many chemical facilities are in YOUR state? I didn't and was surprised to find out how many are in my tiny state of Maryland.

Check out how many are in your state — and then write your member of Congress asking for their help in making our communities safer from these dangerous plants.

Congress has the power to save lives and prevent tragedy. It's up to YOU to make sure they do.

 

 

--Michelle

Another heart warming blog from the Tokyo Two. Thanks to Toru for this wonderful blog! So great to see photos of you back "home."


The so-called “scientific” whaling fleet has now returned to port from the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary for what we hope will be the last time, and it is almost one year since Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki exposed the embezzlement of whale meat by the fleet’s crew.

Junichi and Toru are still on trial for their efforts to expose this crime, however, recently their bail conditions were relaxed slightly, enabling them to come back to work – just not with each other.

Here’s Toru’s reflections on his first few weeks back at work... Junichi posted a few days ago, on his return...

I'm so glad to finally be able to come back home to the office.

Well, I did feel little strange for the first five minutes, as it was my first time here in nine months. But it wasn’t long until it felt like the home it used to be.

Since I was released under bail restrictions, the most disappointing thing for me was that I was unable to see my Greenpeace colleagues. When I was in custody, I was looking forward to having a BBQ with my colleagues as soon as I was free. But this simple wish was shattered. You can imagine my disappointment, particularly after 26 days with really bad food (It was not the main reason for my hunger strike, but I have to say that I'm glad I did it, as it brought the least amount of awful meals to me in my box of a room).

Before our arrests, we - that is everyone at Greenpeace in Japan - already went through much hardship. So my wish before release was to see everyone and pat each other's shoulders.

This is now a reality. I didn't expect it would take so long...

There is still a long way to go with the trial, but now I'm really happy to see and touch the great hearts of these wonderful people again. When you have your spirit up and are with your colleagues, there is not much to worry about. Now my spirit is reinforced, I am stronger than ever!

I would like to thank everyone who helped us to get here. And please keep your eyes on us, as much as possible.

The fact that everyone is watching us, and them, is our best insurance for the trial.

The next pre-trial hearing for the Tokyo Two will be held on the 15th of May this year.

Heart-pounding suspense and fast-paced action surround the popular television show 24. The fictional character, Jack Bauer, heroically conquers espionage, terrorism and chemical attacks. His exploits only last one hour, once a week. After we watch the show, we are sufficiently entertained, turn off the television and go on with our busy lives. But, there is some truth behind the stories on 24. In particular-–the dangers posed to us by chemicals such as chlorine. We use these chemicals for disinfecting water. These chemicals are stored in large quantities all over the country–posing a serious risk to you and your family in the event of an accident or terrorist attack.  

Check out the new 24-style video that Greenpeace just launched. It will show you exactly what I am talking about.

I don't want to dwell on the grim and the dark. It has been a pretty dismal few months and it seems no news has been good news lately. I want to end my blog on a more positive note–real change is possible! There are safer alternatives to some of these chemicals. And, we can increase security and regulations so the chemical plants and the transportation of these chemicals are done in a safer manner–protecting both you and I.  

Congress has legislation in the works that would address these issues–they just need to hear from their constituents (that's you and I, again). If they know it is important to us–they are more likely to pass the legislation. We know they are hearing from the chemical lobbyists. They are pouring millions of dollars into making sure these hazardous chemicals continue to be used are safer regulations continue to be ignored.

Let's turn this story into a happy ending–we want safer alternatives where we can and safer regulations so we can all be spared a catastrophic event. Take action today, check out our video and tell all your friends and family!

--Michelle

Greenpeace just released version 11 of their Guide to Greener Electronics. The guide began in 2006 with the goal of cleaning up the electronics sector and getting manufacturers to take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products, including the electronic waste that their products generate.

Check out the latest issue of the Green Guide and see how your favorite electronics companies stacked up. 

--Michelle

 

If you're on Twitter like me you'll know that there's a whole heap of s#!t out there. But despite all the noise it's a powerfully popular communications tool. I'm finding twitter more and more useful for engaging with people who can help make this world a better place.

Some folks like Jon Stewart might not be convinced (and we've got a few in our organization, too) but like it or not - twitter is here to stay. You might as well do something good with it.

Are you just twasting twime on twitter or are you using the twitterverse to make a difference in the real world?

Follow us on twitter! Hey -- hope you like the Greenpeace Twitter bird that I made. Isn't he cute?

-Michelle

 

Have you ever wondered what goes into your can of tuna fish? We've all heard about buying dolphin-safe tuna, but that isn't the only ocean creature that is affected by tuna fishermen. Turtles, smaller fish, marine mammals and even ocean habitats are endangered or destroyed by tuna fishermen who go to any length necessary to catch tuna. As more and more people get an appetite for tuna, less and less can be found in the seas.

When I was little, I thought tuna were small, like sardines. How else cuold they get them to fit into those tiny tin cans?

But, in reality tuna are quite magnificent. The Atlantic bluefin tuna, for example, are gigantic--growing to lengths of up to 10 feet and weights of up to 1,500 pounds. They are also really fast swimmers, swimming at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

Greenpeace has a new web page all about tuna. You can see what's really in each can of tuna with an interactive flash feature. You can also see what species of tuna are on the Greenpeace red list and why they are in trouble.

--Michelle

 

It might be kind of strange to string these three topics together, but I did so because Greenpeace just launched new, interactive seafood pages. You can plunge into the deep blue sea and discover why pirate fishermen are nothing like Johnny Depp playing Jack Sparrow in the movies. These modern-day pirates aren't funny or charismatic, they are dangerous and ruthless. They catch unlimited amounts of fish and they don’t discriminate, pillaging endangered fish and bycatch like sea turtles. You can help out by taking action and making your voice heard--tell the U.S. government to throw pirate fishing practices overboard.

If that's not enough fun for ya, I bet you'd love to see what is really inside a can of tuna. You might be surprised at what else that tiny tin can has sealed in it. Check out the cool interactive tuna can on the Greenpeace site. You'll be amazed.

And, for the activist-at-heart, Greenpeace has an awesome new toolkit. They gave the toolkit a major tune-up! If you are the type of person who is willing to take their activism a step further, away from your computer and into your supermarket, then, this toolkit is for you.

Yo, ho, ho!
--Michelle

Apple moves closer to eliminating toxics and reducing their carbon footprint. This is fantastic news! Apple has long been an innovative company. They set the trends that other companies follow. That is why Greenpeace has been pushing for Apple to become the greenest technology company out there. We know they can do it! And, that once they do, others will follow. Looks like Apple is on the right track!

Just this week Apple announced new products and took a step closer to meeting their goal of removing toxic BFRs and PVC completely. New iMacs and Mac minis are BFR free and PVC free internally. Whoo Hoo!

That seems to just leave Apple to get rid of the PVC in external power cords, a move which industry insiders tell us is coming soon. Infinite loop has a good analysis of the latest moves from Apple here:

"We have spent a tremendous amount of time and engineering effort and money in coming up with these kinds of solutions ahead of the rest of the industry," (David Moody, Apple VP of marketing).

On toxic chemicals elimination they are leading the industry, now it's time for Dell, HP, Lenovo and co to match Apple's effort and money they have put it to this since May 2007.

And, Apple says they are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and will continue to be transparent by publishing a life-cycle analysis for each of their products and how it contributes to environmental issues.

Well, hats off to Apple for taking yet another step towards a greener future!

--Michelle

My Greenpeace colleagues in the United Kingdom posted an excellent blog about a new book about the oceans. I've reposted it here:

Behind many a Greenpeace action and every campaign lies a large amount of science related work. Much of the analysis and some of the research backing our campaigns comes from the scientists of the Greenpeace Research Laboratories,  based at Exeter University. Over the years they have accumulated a vast amount of expertise and thousands of scientific papers on a wide range of issues including many that are related to the health of the worlds oceans. From bycatch to ocean acidification, the team has been uncovering the facts behind the changes we are now witnessing happening at sea.

Having worked on a wide range of marine conservation issues all over the globe, the team have recently pulled together their vast knowledge and written a book - State of the World's Oceans – which both catalogues the threats to our oceans and sets out a blueprint for reversing current trends and laying the foundations for a return to clean, healthy and biodiverse seas. In particular the book sets out the science behind Greenpeace's call for a global network of marine reserves covering 40 per cent of the oceans.

Written in a way that makes it accessible to anybody with an interest in the fate of the seas around us, Paul Johnston, the head of the Greenpeace science unit, hopes that it will be widely read by the up and coming generation of marine scientists. "What we hope we've achieved is paint the big picture of what is happening to the oceans and made the scientific case for an holistic approach to marine management with the protection of whole ecosystems and their functions at its core."

All I can say is that you have to see it to believe it. Check out this video of a fish with a see-through head. WOW! I am in total awe at this amazing sea creature. Seeing things like this give me even more reasons to advocate for ocean protection. Who knows what will be discovered next? One thing's for sure -- if we keep polluting the ocean and damaging essential habitiat -- we'll never find out.

Ignorance is bliss! Sometimes I wish I didn’t know that cookies were bad for me or that fruits were doused in pesticides. Then, I could indulge in my sweet tooth without having the associated guilt. But, the reality is—by knowing and being smart about your food choices—you will be better off in the long run. You may just save yourself a trip to the doctor, avoid that stomach ache, stay healthier and live longer.

A recent story on Sprig.com listed the ten most dangerous foods to eat. It was definitely an eye-opener. Out of the ten foods, three of them were seafood—farmed salmon, Chilean sea bass and bluefin tuna.  Sprig.com flags the seafood for their high levels of mercury and PCB contamination as well as environmental factors. All three seafood made the Greenpeace red list as well. We are glad the word is getting out that consumers should avoid these foods for health and environmental reasons. Avoid eating these three fish to help the ocean—it’s a small sacrifice to make!

The salmon you purchase in the store is most likely farm-raised since the wild fish is nearly extinct. Salmon is such a popular fish, that the majority of it found on seafood shelves has been farm-raised. This creates a whole host of problems for the ocean. Salmon farms may use pesticides and antibiotics to control outbreaks of disease among the fish. Chemicals and waste from most salmon farms are released directly into waters surrounding the farms—polluting the oceans, damaging habitat and putting other sea life in jeopardy. And, when YOU eat farmed salmon, you may also be eating residues from chemicals used in the farms. Ick. I wouldn’t want to be ingesting that.

Chilean sea bass has become so popular that the fish populations cannot keep up with the demand. And, unless people stop eating Chilean sea bass, it may be commercially extinct within five years. Pirate fishing is a huge problem with this fish. Not only do the pirates pillage the fish, they also destroy the habitat and other sea life with their reckless behavior and unregulated fishing.

Bluefin tuna is such a delicacy that an individual fish can be worth over $30,000.00 at the Tokyo fish auction. That being said, I’m sure you or I will not see a bluefin tuna at our grocery store or restaurant. Tuna has such a high price tag that fishermen will catch them by any means necessary. There are so few left that they are catching younger and younger tuna. This doesn’t allow the fish to reproduce and bounce back from being overfished. They are also the target of pirate fishing. The methods in which tuna are caught also threaten to injure or kill sea turtles and marine mammals.

If people aren’t buying the red list fish like the ones mentioned here, then supermarkets will not buy them and put them in their seafood counters. It’s up to us to shop responsibly and make our wallets work for us—how we spend our money CAN help the environment. We just have to keep ourselves educated and embrace the truth instead of running from it.  

--Michelle

 

Explore the oceans with the new version of Google Earth. Thanks to Google’s collaboration with over 100 organizations you can now dive into the deep blue sea without getting wet.

There is a really cool “touring” feature where you can swim along the path of a whale shark. If you love to learn, you can splash around to find out new findings about ocean observations, climate change, and endangered species.

Here at Greenpeace, we are excited that Google Earth contains information about marine protected areas. It’s sad to see that only 1% of the oceans are actually protected. We are pushing to get that 1% pushed up to 40%. More protected areas means the oceans will be healthier.

Click here to help speed up the process of declaring more marine reserves!

Greenpeace ventured to the Bering Sea in a push to get that area protected. With the new Google Earth you can check out the research we did and navigate through the canyons we explored. All you have to do is download the new Google Earth (link below) and the search for “Greenpeace.”

http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

Happy Diving!

--Michelle