Greenpeace News, Blogs and Online Actions

The U.S. was the number one problem in Barcelona

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:36:06 +0000

On November 6th in Barcelona, Spain, United Nations climate change negotiations were supposed to conclude final preparations for the long-awaited talks in Copenhagen this December. But, after the-five day session concluded, the world was not much closer to the fair, ambitious and legally-binding treaty needed from the Copenhagen talks.

Greenpeace activists hang a banner from Barcelona's Sagrada Família that reads "World leaders, make the climate call." © Greenpeace/Pedro Armestre

Safety First: Clorox to Eliminates Chlorine Risks

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

On November 2nd, the Clorox Company announced plans to convert all of its U.S. factories that use chlorine gas to safer chemical processes over the next few years. Greenpeace applauds this move because it will eliminate catastrophic risks to more than 13 million Americans living near their facilities.

Google, IBM and Microsoft with their heads in the clouds

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:46:33 +0000

People could some day recall that it was the Information Technology (IT) industry’s advocacy for strong action which tipped the balance at the Copenhagen climate summit. But that's not going to happen unless all of us press them to become climate champions. As our updated Cool IT Challenge leaderboard reveals, IT heavyweights such as Google, Microsoft and IBM are still hesitating to speak up on the urgent need for emissions reductions.

Greenpeace sets up base in Indonesian rainforest to prevent climate destruction

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Greenpeace announced today that it has set up base in the heart of the Indonesian rainforest and will remain there for several weeks in order to bring urgent attention to the role that deforestation plays in driving dangerous climate change, a critical issue to be addressed at the UN Copenhagen Climate Summit in December.

October 24th International Day of Climate Action

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

While our leaders continue to talk about what's "politically possible," the world continues to warm and precious days go by. The latest science shows that runaway global warming is even closer than we feared. We can't continue to allow our leaders here in the U.S. to sit back and play political games when our future is at stake.

Greenpeace Analysis has a Strong Message for President Obama

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

In a newly released Greenpeace analysis, pending climate legislation is analyzed and President Obama is urged to address global warming with the same urgency that the issue itself has on the future of our planet.

Carbon Scam: Greenpeace report exposes how coal and oil companies are trying to use forest offset projects to cheat the climate

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Coal and oil companies are trying to cheat their way out of reducing their carbon footprints through sub-national forest offset schemes, so we've exposed it. Our new report Carbon Scam investigates how American Electric Power, BP and Pacificorp all investors in the Noel Kempff Climate Action Project in Bolivia, are using the forest protection project to try and sidestep their way out of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.

Greenpeace staff member wins alternative Nobel Prize

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:59:14 +0000

We are thrilled to announce that one of our staff members, René Ngongo, has today been named a recipient of the 2009 Right Livelihood award.

Bravo Apple

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Apple has stormed out of the biggest lobby group in the United States. At issue is the US Chamber of Commerce's use of funds to oppose climate change legislation. Apple has done the right thing, and IBM and Microsoft should think different too.

Amazon Gets a Break from Cattle Industry

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:54:42 +0000

A major victory has been won for climate and forest protection. Four of the largest players in the global cattle industry joined forces to ban the purchase of cattle from newly deforested areas of the Brazilian Amazon from their supply chains. This fabulous news follows Greenpeace's call for zero deforestation in the rainforest.

700 strip naked for climate message

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

700 volunteers posed nude in a French vineyard to send a message about climate change. This human art installation in the South of Burgundy was created by artist Spencer Tunick - to warn about the dangers of global warming.

New: Google Earth tour of rainforest victory for climate

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:52:47 +0000

Google's Climate Change tools launched last week with a set of tours, narrated by Al Gore, about what the world might look like in 2050 if we do nothing to stop global warming. This week, Google launches a tour telling a success story about what can happen when we take action for solutions today: the moratorium on new soy plantations in the Amazon.

Global Warming is Advancing Quicker -- New Report Suggests

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:34:54 +0000

A new report, released last week by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) forecasts that the planet will warm by 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. This new revelation is much faster than forecast just two years ago.

Obama shows up in Copenhagen two months early

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Our jaws hit the deck and we all fell out of our inflatables when we got word that Presidents Obama, Lula, Zapatero and Prime Minister Hatoyama were going show up in Copenhagen. And then we found out that instead of showing up in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Summit in December, world leaders were actually going to be there today, 2 months ahead of schedule to lobby the Olympic Congress for their cites to host the 2016 Games

Too Little, Too Late for Largest U.S. Fishery

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:53:11 +0000

Decades of mismanagement, overfishing and refusing to create marine reserves have unfortunately caught up with the Alaska pollock fishery. The billion dollar fishery is the largest in the United States, producing a large number of breaded products like fish sticks, fish fingers, and fish fillet sandwiches, as well as surimi, the processed seafood often sold as fake crab or used in sushi rolls.

Green points for Hewlett Packard and Apple

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Our 13th Guide to Greener Electronics rewards Hewlett Packard for putting a PC on the market that is virtually free of PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Meanwhile Apple just released their own green stats, and Newsweek published an environmental guide of 500 top US firms, many of them in the tech industry.

Get Tested For Mercury Contamination

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We invite mothers, children and families to determine their mercury exposure levels through our do-it-yourself-kits. The results of our Greenpeace National Mercury Testing Project are in and the findings are startling. It's time to demand protection of our health from mercury pollution emitted by coal-fired power plants and to promote renewable energy for America.

The World is Ready for a Strong Climate Treaty

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Greenpeace activists rappelled off of 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.

Arctic could be free of summer sea ice by 2030

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

As the Earth warms, its ice melts. Global melting is an early and obvious sign of climate change. Today, it was reported that the minimum area of summer Arctic sea-ice extent has plummeted to the third-lowest level ever in recorded history. The Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise is hosting world-class sea ice expert Dr. Peter Wadhams, on a mission to conduct research into sea-ice loss in the Arctic Ocean, off the northeast coast of Greenland.

Rouge Alert: Climate change threatens French wine

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:28:17 +0000

Climate change would drive anyone to drink, but it seems that the drink won't be a nice French Pinot Noir. France, famous for its unique wine varieties, stands to lose an important part of its cultural heritage as rising temperatures impact vineyards. And unless world leaders can ensure an ambitious deal on climate change at the upcoming UN summit in Denmark - French wines face a grim future.

Historic Chemical Security Compromise Approved by House

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:05:56 +0000

Eight years after the September 11th attacks, the House of Representatives today approved the “Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009,” (H.R. 2868) by a vote of 230 to 193. This is the first time either house of Congress has approved permanent and comprehensive chemical security legislation. “Although it's a compromise, this bill represents a historic first step toward protecting the 100 million Americans living in the shadow of high-risk chemical plants,” said Rick Hind, legislative director of Greenpeace. “It's now time for the Senate to recognize the urgency of this issue and embrace common sense solutions that eliminate these risks once and for all,” said Hind.Earlier this week, Clorox announced plans to convert all of their U.S. facilities from ultra-hazardous chlorine gas to liquid bleach to “strengthen our operations and add another layer of security,” according to their CEO Don Knauss. Clorox also indicated that these changes “won't affect the size of the company's workforce." Since 9/11 more than 200 chemical facilities have converted to safer chemical processes, eliminating poison gas risks to more than 30 million Americans. Yet 300 other chemical plants together put 110 million Americans at risk. “For the first time since the September 11th attacks Congress and the administration are in agreement on how to protect the millions of Americans at risk from chemical plants,” said Hind.In addition, water utility groups and a coalition of more than 50 organizations are urging Congress to enact this legislation. They include: Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the United Auto Workers, Steelworkers, Teamsters, Fire Fighters, Sierra Club, Physicians for Social Responsibility, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Environmental Defense Fund and Greenpeace. The House passed bill (H.R. 2868) will:Conditionally require the highest risk plants to use safer chemical processes where feasible and cost-effective and requires the remaining high risk plants to “assess” safer chemical processes;Eliminate the current law's exemption of thousands of chemical facilities, such as waste water and drinking water plants and port facilities;Involve plant employees in the development of security plans and provides protections for whistleblowers and limit background check abuses;Preserve state's authority to establish stronger security standards;Provide funding for conversion of plants, including drinking water facilities and wastewater facilities, andAllow citizen suits to enforce government implementation of the law.

Christopher Columbus points a finger at the US for blocking climate deal

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:03:31 +0000

As the last day of climate talks before the Copenhagen summit drew to a close, Greenpeace activists attached a banner reading "Climate chaos: Who is to blame?" to Barcelona's Columbus Monument, which points to America. The US delegation has emerged as one of the chief obstructions to progress at the talks that took place in Barcelona this week.Images © Greenpeace/Pedro ArmestreToday's action was the final one of a series of actions Greenpeace did this week in Barcelona. Check out pics from our banner hang at Sagrada Família and the "extreme weather event" we created to show delegates what lies in store for the planet if global warming goes unchecked. If the political courage of the developed world's leaders remains missing in action, then we won't have a deal in Copenhagen. And despite their best efforts to continue floating half-measures and make them stick, consensus is not forming around a deal with weak emissions targets. Developing countries are pushing back and fighting for their survival. We singled out President Obama, however, because his actions fall so far short of his promises to “restore science to its proper place” and lead the world's response to global warming. He has stood aside while Congress let the fossil fuel industry hijack its climate legislation. And on the international scene, he has been silent while his negotiators obstruct the progress on a treaty intended to deal with the most pressing environmental crisis of our time.Write to President Obama now and tell him that it's time to sign a fair, ambitious, and binding climate treaty.

Will the Obama Administration Save Mountains, Communities and our Clean Energy Future?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:34:31 +0000

One year ago President Obama was elected and my hopes for a clean energy future soared. However, just two weeks ago, that hope began to be blown away in West Virginia when Massey Energy began dynamiting Coal River Mountain - the site of a proposed 328-megawatt wind farm - to prepare for a massive mountaintop removal coal mining operation. But today, organizations from across the country are coming together to demand that President Obama's Administration be a leader for both clean energy and communities and stop the blasting on Coal River Mountain. In fact, it's the biggest online action to stop mountain top removal coal mining in history.Can you take a moment right now to tell the Obama Administration to not blast away our clean energy future?Here's what's at stake:-The homes, healthy air, streams and ecosystems of the local residents of Coal River Mountain.-A Coal River Mountain wind farm that would provide 85,000 households with electricity, 700 long-term green jobs, give back $1.7 million in annual county taxes and stand as a model for clean energy across the region.-The health of the climate as when burning the coal pumps tons upon tons of carbon into the atmosphere of an already dangerously warming planet.The EPA has the power to either protect the climate and the communities of Coal River Mountain, or it can allow the creation of a 6,000-acre dirty energy wasteland.You can make a difference today by taking one minute right now to tell the Obama Administration to support clean energy and save Coal River Mountain.With your help, we can make the clean energy revolution a reality. As my colleague from Rainforest Action Network, Scott Parkin, says“Coal River Mountain must become our line in the sand. We can no longer allow fossil fuel interests to build more pipelines, belch out more pollution, and destroy more mountains that could become clean energy wind farms. If we can stop the blasting on Coal River Mountain we can stop talking about a clean energy future and start living in a clean energy present.”

Greenpeace kicks up a storm of protest at UN climate talks in Barcelona

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:24:35 +0000

Greenpeace activists staged an extreme weather event today for delegates at the UN climate talks in Barcelona, Spain to give them a taste of what the future will look like if they don't create the right conditions for a fair, ambitious and binding climate deal in Copenhagen next month.Amidst a mock storm of thunder, lightning, rain and wind outside the Barcelona conference center, the Greenpeace activists deployed a banner that read “Our climate, your decision”.© Pedro Armestre/Greenpeace© Pedro Armestre/Greenpeace© Pedro Armestre/GreenpeaceThe really bad news is that, according to reports coming out of Barcelona, it is the US that is the biggest threat to the deal the world needs in Copenhagen. Rolf has all the dirt on the excuses the US delegation is making in his post, "Call to Action: US obstructing Barcelona talks." There's also a sample script and numbers you can use to call Secretary of State Hilary Clinton or US climate envoy Todd Stern to let them know that you expect the US to lead the world's response to climate change, not obstruct those efforts. If you haven't made a call, please make one now. If you have made a call, consider calling again. The Obama Adminstration needs to hear from us that we expect the leadership that then-candidate Obama promised on global warming.

Iowa State student activists fighting coal on campus!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:42 +0000

This semester, I've worked with student activists who have coal plants on campus - you know, those antiquated, decades-old, polluting machines that fill the air with toxins like mercury, arsenic, and millions of tons of global warming pollution. At Iowa State University, a monster coal plant looms in the center of campus. The plant consumes over 150,000 tons of coal a year - that's one half the weight of the Empire State Building!Iowa State had been dumping fly ash from the coal plant into unlined storage ponds, which is incredibly dangerous due to the risk of contaminating ground water supplies (our drinking water) with numerous deadly toxins. Upon learning about this, Greenpeace campus coordinator Graham Jordison organized a protest on the first day of school. The protest generated several media hits and started a conversation on campus about the plant. A nervous university administration quickly issued a public statement vowing to address the issue.Weeks later, all 3 of the main public universities in Iowa, including Iowa State, announced that they would begin a ground-water monitoring program for the fly ash disposal. Talk about power of the people!One week after this announcement, Graham and his team met with the university president to thank him, and ask him to shut down the coal plant and replace it with clean, renewable sources like wind power. Although the students didn't get a commitment to close the plant, the President and his administration are definitely listening as the students continue to demand clean energy on campus. Graham said it best when quoted in a newspaper article: “We're not afraid to step it up, get our activists together and do some non-violent actions. Whatever it takes to get the school to wake up and realize students want this to change.”Photo: Iowa State student activists protesting at the campus coal plant.The story is unfinished at Iowa State or at your school, but there is only one ending in which we all win. This ending has 100% clean, renewable energy, where coal is no longer part of our vocabulary. To make this happen, we need leaders to fight for the environment. Join Graham, Iowa State, and the Student Network as we fight for the only planet we've got.Let's make sure President Obama transitions our country to clean, renewable energy. Send a message to President Obama right now!For more information about the Student Network, visit our website and friend us on Facebook! Send me an email right now and I'll get you started organizing for climate action at your school.For the climate,David

Giant Jellyfish Sinks Fishing Boat

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:57:52 +0000

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. If you really don't want to see a world overrun by jellyfish, take action and sign our marine reserves petition.--Michelle

The Quagmire of Base Years

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:54:52 +0000

Most people here in Barcelona I think would say 'slow progress' is an exaggerated description of the state of climate negotations. For a recent issue of Eco, the daily newsletter of Climate Action Network-International, I wrote this article which goes over a couple elements that may be mucking up negotations as well as confusing domestic discussion of climate legislation. Many voices are complaining that the US delegation has put no numbers on the table, but there is one number that just keeps popping up. That number is 2005, the base year for the Kerry-Boxer climate legislation. Even though it was four years ago, 2005 just happens to be the year of the highest US emissions in history. Obviously, reducing 20% of emissions from a higher pool means less reductions. Kerry-Boxer aims to reduce 7% below 1990. Using 2005 base year allows for a more ambitious sounding target. In Barcelona this proposed base year of 2005 distorts an important discussion on 'comparability' and has become a red herring in assessment of the adequacy of the scale of mitigation targets. The US delegation often seems to insinuate that 1990 was just an arbitrary base year. Of course, 1990 was not selected at random: it was the year of the IPCC's First Assessment Report; the year when the world began negotiating what became the Convention. But arbitrary or not, shifting to a different base year like 2005 allows the US to imply that the EU proposed mitigation target of 20% by 2020 relative to 1990 is about as ambitious as that in the US legislation. In effect, this amounts to suggesting that emissions reductions elsewhere between 1990 and 2005 are irrelevant to negotiations today. The comparison we really should be making is the distance between the proposals on the table and what the science is saying we have to do. Countries may find it domestically convenient to use a different baseline year, but this presents several problems. Converting reporting data from one country to another appears to be simple enough in theory. But in practice, measurement, reporting and verification requires comparing apples to apples. Converting multiple data points across multiple countries using a variety of different baselines is a convenient recipe for confusion and avoiding the big picture (remember? 'compare the targets to what the science demands'). So even if the experts can provide conversion formulas for differing baselines, there is still a question of public transparency and accountability. And finally, if the baseline changes, so must the targets. Were we to use a 2005 baseline, the IPCC says global emissions should come down 35-50% by 2020 (as opposed to 25-40% with a 1990 baseline). In the context of history and science, using 1990 is not at all arbitrary.

CLOROX to Eliminate Chlorine Disaster Risks to 13 Million Americans, Decision Makes Case for New Security Law as Vote Looms in Congress

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:03:54 +0000

Greenpeace applauded Monday's announcement by Clorox to convert all of its factories using chlorine gas to safer chemical processes. Clorox CEO Donald Knauss said the conversion will, “strengthen our operations and add another layer of security.” The first plant will convert within six months and all others will phase out chlorine gas over the next few years. Once the conversion is completed at all seven U.S. Clorox plants, the company will have eliminated catastrophic risks from chlorine gas to 13.6 million Americans, living downwind of its facilities. This conversion will also eliminate equally disastrous risks posed by the transport of 90-ton rail cars of chlorine gas. “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. Coincidentally, chemical security legislation (H.R. 2868) is slated for a vote in the House of Representatives this Wednesday. If enacted it would require approximately 107 of the highest risk chemical plants to convert to safer cost-effective chemicals wherever feasible just as Clorox plans to do.“By ending the use of chlorine gas, Clorox also proves that eliminating these risks is both technically feasible and a smart business decision. Switching to safer substances not only reduces liability and regulatory obligations, it also enhances profitability and long-term job security. Eight years after the 9/11 attacks, the Clorox announcement leaves no excuse for other industry giants such as Dow and DuPont. Their plants put potentially millions of Americans at risk [Map of Dow Chemical plants: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/dow-chemical-map, Map of DuPont plants: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/dupont-map]. Given the time it can take to convert, it is urgent that these firms start following Clorox's lead now,” said Hind.In February, Greenpeace wrote Knauss asking for a meeting to discuss ways to eliminate these risks. Greenpeace sent similar letters to Dow and DuPont [Dow: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/dow-letter DuPont: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/dupont-chem-letter]. Soon after, Knauss responded and invited Greenpeace to a meeting with him and other executives at their Oakland, California headquarters in May. At the meeting Knauss unveiled their plans and explained the economic, security and safety benefits that executives factored into their decision. Following the meeting, Greenpeace was also given a tour of the Fairfield, California plant, which will be the first Clorox production facility to convert.Clorox's statement today includes the many benefits of converting that Knauss cited such as: “minimizing business disruption, strengthening operations, reducing potential supply chain constraints, complexity and risks, increasing security, the company's costs, including volatility and increases in raw materials…risks relating to the handling and/or transportation of hazardous substances including but not limited to chlorine…” http://investors.thecloroxcompany.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=420583Because Clorox is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) which is lobbying against the House chemical security legislation, Greenpeace also asked Clorox to support the pending legislation. Clorox has not taken a position on the pending legislation.However, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), some of whose member companies are also NAM members, issued a strong statement on this legislation in 2008 saying, “It's time for the big chemical companies to do their part to help protect America. They should stop manufacturing dangerous chemicals when safer substitutes are available. And if they won't do it, Congress should do it for them.”The current law actually bars the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from requiring the use of safer chemicals or processes. The current law also exempts all (2,600) water treatment facilities, some of which use large quantities of chlorine gas. “Just as we require airplanes to be safer, clearly the chemical security law must be strengthened to ensure the use of safer chemicals wherever alternatives are possible,” said Hind.On October 1st, in testimony before Congress, the Obama administration's DHS and Environmental Protection Agency officially called for permanent legislation that requires the highest risk chemical plants in all sectors to use safer more secure chemical processes wherever possible. In 2006, when Senators Obama and Biden championed nearly identical legislation that was opposed by the chemical industry, Obama said, "We cannot allow chemical industry lobbyists to dictate the terms of this debate. We cannot allow our security to be hijacked by corporate interests." The cost of converting a plant is insignificant compared to its liability in the event of a terrorist attack or accident. According to the New York City Comptroller, the economic impacts of the 9/11 attacks were $94.8 billion. Safer chemical processes also ensure a more reliable supply chain and fewer regulatory obligations. More than 87 percent of converted facilities surveyed reported conversion costs of $1 million or less and one third expect to save money. The Center for American Progress produced a report listing 284 examples of facilities that have converted since 1999 at: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2006/04/b681085_ct2556757.html/chem_survey.pdfOther companies have also recognized the potential profitability of safer chemical processes. For example, K2Pure Solutions plans to build safer bleach making facilities in California, New Jersey and Illinois. For more information, see: www.K2Pure.com Since the 9/11 attacks, chemical plants have been identified as one of the most vulnerable sectors of U.S. infrastructure to terrorism. Over 100 million Americans are at risk from just 300 of the 6,300 chemical facilities identified as “high risk” by DHS. The potential casualties could range from 100,000 (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory) to 2.4 million (U.S. Army Surgeon General).Non-disclosure agreement: Prior to the May meeting at Clorox headquarters, Greenpeace agreed to defer disclosure of any of Clorox's conversion plans until they were finalized and made public. Disclaimer: Greenpeace does not endorse any company or products. Greenpeace comments on Clorox's conversion are specific to the elimination of catastrophic risks to communities surrounding its plants and do not address any other Clorox practices or products.

Update on African Group walk-out at Barcelona talks

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:08:12 +0000

Yesterday I reported on a Greenpeace banner hang at the UN climate talks in Barcelona, as well as the fact that several African nations had walked out of the negotiations in protest of the weak emissions reductions targets commitments made by developed nations.I mentioned in that post that the talks were to resume today, but also noted that I didn't know what resolution had been reached to allow talks to resume. Today, via The Associated Press, we have our answer:BARCELONA, Spain - African countries ended a boycott of meetings at U.N. climate negotiations on Tuesday, after winning promises for more in-depth talks on how much rich nations need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.Due to the Africans' demands, most of the rest of this week's talks in Barcelona will be devoted to discussing carbon-cutting pledges rather than other issues including carbon offsets and action by developing countries, said John Ash, chairman of the negotiations on emissions.The Africans, supported by about 70 other developing countries, said industrial nations were making weak commitments to stave off dramatic temperature rises while Africa was being devastated by droughts and floods blamed on global warming.Scientists say industrial countries should reduce emissions by 25 to 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020, but targets announced so far amount to far less...."It's really good that the Africans have finally been able to stand up together," said Fiona Musana of Johannesburg-based Greenpeace Africa. "That sends a strong signal."Of course, low emissions targets aren't the only ways the leaders of the developed world are attempting to shirk their responsibility to solve the climate crisis. Jess, blogging on Greenpeace International's Climate Rescue Weblog, reports that negotiators for developed countries are now arguing for a "politically binding" agreement as opposed to a "legally binding" agreement:The climate negotiations have arrived at yet another war over words that might prove detrimental to a deal in Copenhagen this December. Check this one out - developing countries are demanding that negotiators stick to the commitment of a legally binding treaty while developed countries seem to be pleased with showboating their new idea of a politically binding agreement. Sound like just semantics to you? May sound like it but consider this: When was the last time you trusted a promise that a politician made to you before they took steps to make good on it?...“I do not know anything called a politically binding agreement. They are worth very little. Tell me of any politician that delivered on their (election) manifesto,” Lumumba Stanislaus Di-Aping, a delegate with Sudan.OK, so maybe it sounds like a whole lot of unwarranted distrust to you, so let's use President Obama as an example. I campaigned and voted for President Obama based on the promises he made. As someone that cares about the environment, I was inspired by his statements about leading the world in the fight against climate change. After he was elected, he talked about returning science to its rightful place and leading the world in a solution to the climate crisis. But just 32 days out, where is the leadership and return to science that my President Obama promised? How much longer do I trust in promises without any accountability?Where is the accountability, indeed. We now learn that, far from providing the leadership that was promised by Obama, the US is actually doing its best to undermine negotiations in Barcelona. If you're as fed up with this lack of leadership as I am, you can call Obama's Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, right now - click here for the number and a suggested script.

One World Lands in the Green Mountain State to Shut Down Vermont Yankee

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:10:13 +0000

Entergy Nuclear's Vermont Yankee reactor is nearing the end of its 40-year operating permit, and the company is seeking a 20-year license renewal. Entergy's mismanagement has actually been an asset to Greenpeace's campaign to make sure Vermont denies that license renewal - from a drunken supervisor to a spin-off company, it's no wonder Vermonters aren't too keen on their business operations (read more about accidents and incompetence at Vermont Yankee here). Running 20% above capacity, the infrastructure of the plant has been breaking down in recent years, and it poses a risk to people in three states (read our factsheet on Vermont Yankee's license renewal). Luckily, the VT Legislature gave itself the authority to vote against a license renewal for Vermont Yankee, and that is what we're making sure happens when the session starts in January. Greenpeace is working in a coalition with some great local groups to move legislators that have not made commitments on what way they will vote. (We also did a tour around the state earlier this year to talk to Vermonters about nuclear power and the future of energy in their state.) I had the pleasure of spending the last two weeks with a terrific crew of Greenpeace activists, our GOT students, and volunteers from around Vermont. We organized events in Montpelier, Rutland and Burlington with our One World hot-air balloon. We had state representatives, business leaders, other environmental groups and community members come out to the events to address the crowds. The best quote came from State Representative Paul Poirier who said something like: “I'm no nuclear engineer, just a regular guy, but know that we can't have Vermont Yankee around any longer.” The balloon tour highlighted the fact that Vermont doesn't need nuclear power. We have local renewable companies that could replace the plant's energy, which would put our money into the hands of our friends and neighbors rather than in Entergy's pockets. Vermonters are standing up across the state to call for a clean energy future, and we hope you are too. No nukes in Vermont!-Jarred

Tell Trader Joe's to Stop Stalling

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:37:16 +0000

Ocean conservation is important to all of us. Take action and tell Trader Joe's to stop stalling and to finally adopt sustainable seafood policies.

President Obama: It's time to sign

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:56:01 +0000

Tell President Obama that it's time to sign a fair, ambitious, and binding climate treaty!

Keep the momentum going in the House on chemical security

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:16:25 +0000

Please take a minute today and send your Representative a message: Prevent chemical disasters pass "The Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009" (H.R. 2868) today!

Tell the President to help save the whales

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:02:14 +0000

President Obama will be in Japan in mid-November. Take action and urge him to talk about whale conservation with the new Japanese Prime Minister when they meet. It's a tiny issue for two heads of government, but it is a very big issue for the whales.

The World is Ready for a Strong Climate Treaty

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:34:18 +0000

Sign our petition telling world leaders that you are ready for them to sign a global climate deal in Copenhagen that is ambitious, fair and binding.

Pres. Obama and Pres. Hu: Support strong solutions in Copenhagen

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:10:36 +0000

Did you establish a Climate Connection? Use this action alert to urge President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao to do everything in their power to ensure success at the climate talks in Copenhagen this December.

Tell President Obama not to let polluters off the hook

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:21:34 +0000

Contact President Obama now and tell him that we can't afford to let big polluters off the hook with carbon offsets that replace required pollution cuts.

Tell Big Oil to stop the lies

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:44:24 +0000

Tell Big Oil execs and their lobbyists at the American Petroleum Institute to stop funding astroturf and disinformation campaigns against climate legislation.

Thank Kimberly-Clark for protecting ancient forests

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:01:40 +0000

In a tremendous victory for ancient forests, including the North American Boreal Forest, Kimberly-Clark has announced a new policy that protects endangered forests. Take a minute to thank them.

Thank Timberland for stepping it up a notch

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:02:28 +0000

Alert to thank Timberland for creating a new policy that sets a deadline for its leather suppliers to support a moratorium on cattle expansion in the Amazon.

Thank Nike for protecting the Amazon and the climate

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:57:03 +0000

Thank you action to Nike for establishing a policy to protect the Amazon and the climate

Petition to President Obama: Be a leader on Global Warming!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:45:22 +0000

Sign our petition asking Obama to be a leader, not a politician, on global warming.

Thank Dominica for Protecting Whales

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:23:54 +0000

The tiny Island of Dominica, in the Caribbean, has decided to rebuff Japan and say no to supporting their efforts to whale commercially. Take a minute to send a thank you letter to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:11:05 +0000

Check out the map for personal stories from activists across the country and find out why they are part of the movement to stop global warming.

Can You Imagine a Clean Energy Future?

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:37:56 +0000

At Greenpeace, every day is Earth Day. But, for some people, Earth Day is the one day each year that they really think about the serious environmental challenges facing our planet.

That's why we decided to take to the streets of Chicago -- President Obama's hometown -- on this special day and transform a Michigan Avenue bridge into a bold statement about the future. You've already seen the results.

The message was pretty simple: Imagine clean energy now. And it's not a fantasy either. If youve checked out Greenpeaces Energy [R]evolution report then you know that we really can stop the worst effects of global warming if we act now. But its going to take all of us, working together and building a movement, to make it happen.

Can you imagine a clean energy future? If so, then please take a minute to add your name to the petition below. You'll be joining a movement of people ready to take action and rescue the climate.

24: Do Not Kill List

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:43:45 +0000

A lot could happen in as little as 24 minutes. In the case of a poison gas accident or attack, you could be killed or injured. In fact, your life could depend on the direction of the wind, or how quickly you can evacuate. More than 48 million people signed the Do Not Call list within 1 week. Sign the Do Not Kill List and tell Congress how important your life and loved ones are to you.

Tell Congress to support global warming legislation

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:23:46 +0000

With the new administration and a new Congress, now is the time for the USA to start leading the global charge against global warming. The world is looking to us for leadership, but time is running out. Members of the new Congress are already working on legislation that will create thousands of green jobs and kickstart an energy revolution while ensuring that we do what climate scientists say is necessary to avert the worst effects of global warming.

It's up to us to make sure our representatives in Congress support that legislation.

Tell Procter & Gamble that you're not the one cutting down forests

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:30:02 +0000

After nearly five years of Greenpeace's "Kleercut" campaign, Kimberly-Clark has agreed to stop wiping away ancient forests for disposable products. This is an enormous win for the North American Boreal Forest and all of the wolves, bears, caribou, and songbirds that call the forest home.

However, our work is not done. Tissue giants Procter & Gamble and Georgia Pacific have not committed to protecting ancient forests. Kimberly-Clark has proven that big companies can become big leaders in the battle to save our planet from environmental destruction, its time others follow suit.

Tell Brazil "No" to Amazon deforestation

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:36:57 +0000

The Brazilian Congress, influenced by the agribusiness sector, seeks to change the Forest Code in Brazil to open more of the Amazon rainforest to be cleared. Not only will this destroy forested areas in the Amazon no longer protected by the Forest Code but the clearing and burning of these lands will release millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere—making the impacts of climate change worse.

Japan: If defending whales is a crime, arrest me.

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:39:34 +0000

If Japan is going to start rounding up political prisoners for the crime of defending whales, they're going to have to arrest a whole heaping lot of us. Sign the petition to stand in solidarity with Junichi and Toru.

Urge the EPA to take action on global warming

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:14:03 +0000

The EPA is currently considering whether or not greenhouse gases represent a danger to public health and welfare. If they were to determine that greenhouse gases do in fact endanger the public, it would require them to take a number of regulatory actions. Take action now >> Write to the EPA and tell them you support bold action on global warming!

Tell Congress to Get Tough on Chemical Security

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 21:36:33 +0000

Send your local members of Congress a message to "tighten up" on Chemical Security today!

Hands Off! Ocean Protection Petition

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:42:07 +0000

Globally, our oceans are in deep trouble. Overfishing, pollution, bycatch and global warming are endangering the lives of marine creatures and habitat. Hell, were also endangering our lives if we dont protect the oceans. Hands Off! In order to protect the worlds oceans, portions have to be left alone.