Greenpeace

Last Monday, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for Greenpeace at the world premiere of The Age of Stupid, a documentary about the dangers of global warming told from the perspective of a man fifty years in the future. He asks the question, "why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?"

Well, I am definitely in the present and we still have a chance. That's why I volunteer for Greenpeace. At the premiere I was tasked to parade around in a giant earth bubble alongside the environmental leaders and celebrities that graced the green carpet. The longer I remained in the massive people you-turn-the-earth globe, the more stifling it became. Strangely enough, it began to feel somewhat symbolic of global warming. However, despite the minor discomfort, the balls were attention grabbing, and since the premiere was intentionally synced with the arrival of United Nations leaders in New York City, that was our main intent.

The Age of Stupid World Premiere was one of several events planned for New York City's Climate Week which took place from September 20-26. The week was our prime opportunity to send a message to the leaders attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December and I hope our efforts will prove to be rewarding.

The film debuted in more than 400 theaters across the nation and in 32 countries around the world that day. For the New York event, the carbon emissions were calculated and controlled. The screen and the tent that the movie played in were solar powered, organic wine was served from eco-friendly containers, and even the workers weren’t allowed to drink from plastic bottles. Celebrities and politicians arrived by various means of low-carbon transportation. Moby performed live and Thom Yorke gave an exclusive performance via satellite. Heather Graham came by boat and even agreed to pose for a few photographs with the Greenpeace volunteers.

 

 

Similarly, on the previous Sunday, a demonstration in Central Park painted a clear picture from a bird's eye view. Hundreds of people gathered to demonstrate one unifying belief: the time for action is running out. Volunteers showed up, gave hours of their day, and formed a Human Countdown symbolizing the growing pressure needed to be placed on our political leaders to support an adequate climate treaty when they meet in Copenhagen.

 

On the same day, four women from around the world visited New York City to show UN leaders how Climate Change has affected their lives from Mississippi to Uganda. Their stories include survival struggles due to loss of jobs, drought, hunger and natural diaster.

Then on Wednesday, the week's events climaxed in Pennsylvania as world leaders of the G20 met in Pittsburgh. Greenpeace activists dangled from some of the city’s most iconic bridges yielding banners of a size too large to ignore. Their message: "Danger: Climate Destruction Ahead. Reduce CO2 Emissions Now."

 

  

At this point it may seem like the ability to stifle the environmental destruction that is now overcoming the planet is simply beyond our hands and futile efforts. Those of us who recognize the truth, who see the receding glaciers and the catastrophic weather changes as irrefutable symptoms of climate change, feel like we’re drowning in the sea, waving our arms and shouting at idle on-lookers on the shore. But, even as the tide pulls us in and under, our shouting seems to grow stronger, louder. Weeks like this one, that exhibit the passion and fearless dedication of activists like the fourteen who were arrested in Pittsburgh are a refreshing inspiration. Their actions express a need for attention and a demand to be heard! So maybe a week isn’t enough time to solve all the world’s problems, but it was the perfect time to make Greenpeace’s demands loud and clear. We are not backing down, and this kind of bold activity will not cease even as the memory of Climate Week recedes in the past.