HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION Environment (Pack 4) PART F GREENPEACE.

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION

Environment (Pack 4)

PART F

GREENPEACE


KEY IDEA 4: CASE STUDY OF HOW AN ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE GROUP CAMPAIGNS.

GREENPEACE

FORMATION AND MEMBERSHIP

• a direct action environmental pressure group founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1971 as the "Don't Make a Wave Committee” against USA nuclear testing


• major tactic is to gain publicity for, and awareness of environmental issues publicity would alter public opinion and cause those responsible for actions that harm the environment to alter behaviour through public opinion

• tactics would be media friendly; looking good on TV and in the newspapers

• Greenpeace is funded entirely from donations from the public, the sale of merchandise and membership subscriptions

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION • campaigners recruited for skills like engineering, languages or media skills

• in 2007 membership is over 3 million, will) 40 offices in 30 countries

• international headquarters now in Amsterdam, Holland


2. AIMS OF GREEN PEACE

• to protect the environment• to prevent pollution• to conserve life on Earth• to defend the laws of nature• to "get the story on the airwaves" (media)• promote public awareness• to shame the guilty• to promote a sense of Peace, Spirituality,

Awe and Wonder….about the environment


A BRIEF HISTORY OF "GREENPEACE"

1971.Formed 1972. Campaign against French nuclear testing1975. Won world fame for its "Save the Whale" campaign, with daring exploits in rubber rafts, getting between harpoons and whales1976. Campaign against culling of harp seals, Newfoundland, Canada1979. Sellafield nuclear waste (UK) and nuclear dumping at sea (Vigo, Spain)1980's. Anti sea dumping campaigns

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION 1985. Ship, "Rainbow Warrior" sunk by French agents in New Zealand. Fernando Pereira killed. French government scandal. 2 ministers sacked1998. Forced to withdraw accusations against Shell (Oil) about disposal of Brent Spar oil platform2000’s. Membership up. New campaigns. Disagreement on future style: some want to carry on high publicity direct action, others, including leaders, want to negotiate with governments and industries. Increase in campaigns against genetic modification of foods and anti – nuclear programme2007. Anti – nuclear campaign stepped up. Won case against UK government about unfair consultation about nuclear fuel


4. CAMPAIGNS IN BRIEF (WITH SOME OPPONENTS IN BRACKETS)

(P) = Pollution and (C) = Conservation campaign

• against nuclear testing (French government) (P)• anti-nuclear dumping (US and European governments, including UK) (P)• animal conservation e.g. whales (Japan, Russia, Norway) or harp seals (Canada) (C)• acid rain (UK, USA, Germany, Czechoslovakia) (P)• disarmament (world-wide) (P & C)


• deforestation (rainforest - Brazil, Indonesia; temperate - Canada) (P & C)• oil spills and platforms (Shell UK and governments) (P)• CFC's (Sainsburys and others use CFC free freezers) (P)• genetically engineered food (supermarkets) (P)• fisheries, against "Wall of Death" nets (Europe) (C)• anti PVC (Millennium Dome roof) (P)• genetically modified foods (P & C)


CAMPAIGN CASE STUDY: NUCLEAR TESTING

In 1972 the French were testing nuclear weapons in the South Pacific, exploding over 80 devices. Dave McTaggart and a crew of 3 held up testing for several days at Muraroa Atoll. Their boat was boarded and they were beaten up by French commandos. A set of 13 photos survived, giving the campaign great publicity. The French government were shamed, and ceased testing for 10 years.


French testing resumed in the 1980's. The Greenpeace ship, "Rainbow Warrior" went to support the campaign in 1985.

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION It was deliberately sunk by French undercover agents, and the crew photographer, Fernando Pereira was drowned. The scandal hit the French government, leading to the resignation of Defence Minister Charles Hernu and the sacking of Admiral Pierre Lacoste of the Secret Services. France stopped nuclear testing in 1997.


CAMPAIGN CASE STUDY: SAVE THE WHALE

In 1975 this issue nearly split "Greenpeace", as some felt it was just a trendy side issue. It actually made its reputation. 80% of whaling was done by Russia and Japan, although many other countries also had small whaling fleets. One whale was killed every hour. There was no apparent regard for whales' intelligence, sensitivity and family ties. Activists put themselves between the whales and the harpoons, gaining valuable publicity from the filming.

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION At first the International Whaling Commission tried to arrest Greenpeace activists, but growing public awareness and pressure led to the announcement of a ban on whaling.Only Japan, Russia and Norway continue to hunt whales.In the 1990s and 2000s campaigns against drift netting, that kills dolphins, continues.


CAMPAIGN CASE STUDY: HARP SEAL CULLING

In 1976 Greenpeace began a campaign to conserve Canadian harp seal pups. Hunters from Newfoundland hunted pups under 12 days old for their soft white fur - for clothing. The pups were defenceless, and the emotions of nursing seal cows were ignored. The pups were killed by battering.Greenpeace activists, being filmed, carried pups away, dyed them to spoil the fur, used their bodies to protect them and even stood in front of ice-breaker ships.


The Canadian "Seal Protection Regulation" was used to prevent Greenpeace from following their campaign.World awareness and outcry reduced the hunt by 90% as the demand for seal fur collapsed. In 1983 the EEC banned seal imports.

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION CAMPAIGN CASE STUDY: TOXIC AND NUCLEAR WASTE DUMPING AT SEA

In 1979 nuclear waste from Sellafield was pumped into the Irish Sea. At the same time nuclear waste from European countries, including the UK was being dumped in the Atlantic off Vigo, Spain.Throughout the 80's Greenpeace activists disrupted dumping from rubber boats, despite court injunctions. Additionally, British activists tried to "plug" Sellafield's outfall pipe. They were fined £50,000, but this was paid by public donation within 3 weeks. Greenpeace gained huge publicity.


Protesters also showed the danger of estuary dumping (of titanium oxide in the Humber).By 1985 the EU had stopped dumping. Toxic and radioactive discharge into the sea is to be totally abandoned by 2020.

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION ADVANTAGES (OR JUSTIFICATIONS) FOR GREENPEACEAND DISADVANTAGES (OR CRITICISMS) OF GREENPEACE

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES• reduces pollution• conserves the planet• raises awareness and educates• co-operation between nations• reminds governments or industries of their duty• pays its own way

• wastes money in campaigns• gets publicity, but doesn't follow up• uneconomic• can make mistakes which are costly (Brent Spar - Shell UK)• blinkered world view; only• interested in environment


OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

It should be remembered that Greenpeace is only one environmental pressure group. There are others, including:• Friends of the Earth• World Wildlife Fund• Animal Rights Activists• Anti - Vivisection Society• Road and Bypass Protesters• Recycling Clubs• Some politicians and industries

HUMANITIES G.C.S.E. REVISION Environment (Pack 4) PART F GREENPEACE.

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