ANNIVERSARY

2011SPRING ISSUE

vol. 52

綠色和平40週年

SPRING ISSUE 1102

1982After Greenpeace actions against whalers, a whaling moratorium is adopted by the International Whaling Commission. And in 1994: the Antarctic whale sanctuary is approved.

1983As a result of Greenpeace's actions, The Parties to the London Dumping Convention call for a moratorium on radioactive waste dumping at sea. And, in 1993, dumping at sea of radioactive & industrial waste is permanently banned.

40 Years and Going Strong40

Greenpeace – 1970 and into the 90s

Vancouver & Alaska 1971 and ‘721st Greenpeace action!! We get the US to abandon nuclear testing at Amchitka Island.

France 1975 France ends atmospheric tests in the South Pacific after Greenpeace protests.

New Zealand 1985The Rainbow Warrior is bombed and sunk by French secret service agents.

Europe, end of the 1980’sGreenpeace expands across Europe and opens smaller offices in South America, Asia and the Eastern Bloc.

1989A UN moratorium on high seas large-scale driftnets is passed. And, in 1998: after 15 years of Greenpeace campaigning, the EU finally agrees to phase out drift net fishing in EU and international waters by the end of 2001.

1997After 9 years of campaigning on climate protection since 1988, Greenpeace and other organizations get ministers from industrialized nations to adopt the Kyoto Protocol.

1999Greenpeace wins a toxic battle - Nine countries ban the use of harmful PVC toys for children under 3 years.

OURCAMPAIGNS

03

Since its humble beginnings in 1971 on a small ship in Canada, Greenpeace has been working tirelessly to create a green and peaceful future for the planet. Today we have offices in over 40 countries and regions, and Greenpeace campaigns have created amazing changes – even when they told us it couldn’t be done!

2000The Biosafety Protocol is adopted in Montreal, Canada. Since 1995, Greenpeace has campaigned to stop the irreversible release of GMOs into the environment and to protect biodiversity from genetic pollution.

2002Greenpeace stops Japan from re-introducing commercial whaling through the International Whaling Commission.

2004The Stockholm Convention, which restricts the use of various pesticides and PCBs, comes into effect after lobbying by Greenpeace and other environmental organisations.

2006McDonald's harms the Amazon – McDonald's finally answers years of Greenpeace campaigning with an agreement to stop selling chicken fed on soya grown in newly deforested areas of Amazon rainforest.

2007Apple announces a phase-out of the most dangerous chemicals in its product line in response to a Greenpeace campaign.

2010Greenpeace protects the world's forests and climate! After a 10 year campaign, Europe bans the trade in illegal timber.

Greenpeace – campaigning in the last 10 years!! 2000 - 2011

China, 1997 HK office opens, Beijing 2005Greenpeace increases support to offices of geo-political importance – priority countries include China, USA and Brazil.

Amsterdam, Head officeClimate change becomes the major focus of Greenpeace’s global work – currently using 50% of our resources.

South Africa, 2008Greenpeace opens an office in Johannesburg to tackle climate change, deforestation and overfishing.

Amsterdam, Head Office 2009Kumi Naidoo, an Oxford Rhodes scholar, becomes Greenpeace’s International Director – and the first from Africa.

OURCAMPAIGNS

SPRING ISSUE 11

Executive Director Message:�

A Look Back at Greenpeace History

04

I stepped aboard my first Greenpeace vessel, the MV Sirius, in 1988 in my native Malta, campaigning on nuclear disarmament, oceans, and other issues in the Mediterranean. Campaigns often take years to win, and sometimes the strength of our victories grow with time, as we catalyse changes that others build upon. But I will always remember the first clear-cut campaign win I was involved in – ending toxic waste exports to Africa and the Middle East. When we escorted the Deepsea carrier with her shipment of waste back to Italy, I was proud to be part of an organization that can force multinational and unethical forces to reverse the damage they have done.

I realized then that Greenpeace is not only about environmental protection, but also social justice: We are here to raise issues uncomfortable to governments and corporations – and that is why our independence is so important to us. Such moments are what truly inspire me in my work for Greenpeace.

When I joined, I was considered somewhat exotic within Greenpeace – I was neither Anglo nor a Northern European. Today we have become truly cosmopolitan and embrace people from just about any nationality on earth. We are no longer a “Western” organization, and we are made stronger by the contributions of our staff from every office and every nation. I believe this is a crucial part of our success and our unique role in the world: We have the ability to understand issues from a global angle and find solutions that reflect diverse cultural realities.

I see our Greenpeace East Asia office as a coming together of Greenpeace values with Asian values that also cherish nature and the environment. I can hardly believe we’ve already been working here for 14 years – it astounds me that everything moves so fast

Mario Damato Greenpeace Executive Director

As you may already know, 2011 is the 40th anniversary of Greenpeace. To my surprise, I find that I have now been with the organization for more than half its lifetime!

Happily, I can proudly look back and say that in all this time we have held a steady course. We’ve adhered to our principle of independence, and delivered solutions for some of the worst environmental problems.

I realized then that Greenpeace is not only about environmental protection, but also social justice: We are here to raise issues uncomfortable to governments and corporations – and that is why our independence is so important to us. Such moments are what truly inspire me in my work for Greenpeace.

here and developments can be so concrete. Our tiny “family” operation of around 30 staff has grown to over 100 staff in such a short time, but what I like so much is that the atmosphere in our offices is still very much on a very friendly, even family-like level.

As our work continues in the next ten years, we hope to see Greenpeace become the most effective NGO in the East Asia region, and especially China. Our priority remains climate change, but we will also work on deforestation, toxic pollution, food safety and sustainable agriculture, and defending our oceans. And with more and more corporations coming to work in East Asia, we will focus on changing these companies to employ clean, environmentally friendly technologies and production methods.�

It is my dream to see Greenpeace East Asia as a positive force for the environment with the love and support of people in the region. In the short time that we have worked in Taiwan, our new Oceans campaign has already made impressive progress there. I was especially touched by the warmth and enthusiasm with which the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong welcomed our flagship the Rainbow Warrior. It means so much to me that Greenpeace inspires new generations and new countries through our commitment to defending the planet, our integrity and determination.

As we continue to grow and work in the region, I look forward to sharing many more such stories with you.

“

”

05

SPRIING ISSUE 1106

30

07

SPRING ISSUE 1108

Tokyo Two

09

●

●

●

●

●

SPRING ISSUE 1110

75

11

2009

2010

SPRING ISSUE 1112

……

上而難迎

13

●

●

●

●

●

SPRING ISSUE 1102

1

2

15

2011

3

“

”

02

17

SPRING ISSUE 1118

When the world saw aa G Greenpeace activist put his body ybetween the harpoon anand the whale in 1975, the publicperception o of whaling changed forever. Because of Grreeeee npnpnpeaeaeacecee’s’s confrontations with whalers on the high seasasas, coommmmerercicialal whaling became seen as unnnacacceptable, unnnenenececec ssary, and cruel.

MY JOB SHOULD NO LONGER EXIST:

In 1982, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) set a moratorium on commercial whaling – but that was not the end of the fight. In 1987, Japan began a whaling program for the purpose of “research” – in actuality, a cover-up for a commercial operation, funded by taxpayer money. �

That’s why our strategy now focuses on changing the attitudes of Japanese taxpayers even as we continue to lobby the IWC for marine sanctuaries. In May 2008, our Japanese activists unearthed a huge embezzlement scandal: prime cuts of whale meat were being smuggled ashore by ship crew for illegal trade and personal gain. The revelation drew widespread media coverage and criticism, and Tokyo’s public prosecutor started an investigation. For the first time, Japan began to question its whaling industry.

Unfortunately, the activists involved, known as the “Tokyo Two,” were arrested for trespassing and theft. Their ongoing trial will help determine the future role of NGOs in Japan, as well as the direction of our whaling campaign!

Few people know our anti-whaling campaign as well as John Frizell, who has worked on the issue since he joined Greenpeace in 1976. Let this veteran campaigner share with you his memorable experiences!

John Frizell Speaks For the Whales

“The post of anti-whaling campaigner at Greenpeace should no longer exist, and it is tragic that there is still a need for it.”

19

What are some of your favorite memories?

The chase of the factory ship Nisshin Maru in the Southern Ocean in early 2008. Once it was sighted, it ran for 14 days non-stop, covering thousands of miles and not a single whale was killed in that time.

Is Greenpeace pushing for a complete end to all whaling?

Greenpeace opposes all commercial whaling. It may be that sustainable whaling is possible but we have never seen it practiced and see no reason to try it again, particularly now that all marine life is under pressure from human activities. Whales are impacted by a number of human-generated threats: global climate change, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, noise, ship strikes, habitat degradation, and more. Most of these are very hard to mitigate but whaling is not – we can just stop it.

What are your biggest hopes and ambitions for the campaign in the next 3 years?

An end to whaling in the Southern Ocean and a collapse of the hunt for fin whales in Iceland. Iceland catches these whales only for export to Japan, and the market there is very weak. If the whales cannot be exported and sold, then the hunt will stop – Icelanders don’t eat fin whale.

Is the IWC an effective and meaningful forum for whale protection?

It can be effective. It brought in the moratorium on commercial whaling, which eliminated the worst excesses of the whaling industry. We want it to convert itself away from setting quotas on whales toward working on restoring populations, especially endangered ones. If it spends the next 60 years undoing the damage it caused in its first 30 years of operation, it will enter history as a body that rose above its earlier mistakes to become a force for good.

Lastly, which whale is your favorite and why?

The humpback, because they sing (you can hear them simply by putting your head underwater), and because one of them came to me one day, when I was in a small kayak – it rolled on its side to look at me and our eyes met.

What are some positive changes that you hope to see come out of the Tokyo Two trial?

A recognition of the fact that the Japanese whaling industry is taking money from taxpayers but delivering no benefits back to them, which we hope will lead to an end to the government subsidies of the industry. Without subsidies, the industry will largely disappear.

Tell us about your most successful action.

�We shut down a fleet of 4 pirate whalers based out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. They were catching whales and illegally shipping them to Japan. We documented and exposed their operations and shipping route, leading to the entire operation being closed down.

What do whales mean to you?

I am not at all mystical or spiritual by nature but I feel that I did not choose the whales; the whales chose me. I did not intend to spend my working life trying to protect whales. It is very strange that anyone should still be working on this – whaling brings no value to anything and it should have ended long ago.

20

In the historic year of 1997, Greenpeace opened its office in Hong Kong. Fourteen years later, the reasons for Greenpeace working in China and Hong Kong are as clear as ever: China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The country has 300 million rural residents who drink and wash in unsafe water every day. And in 2009, Hong Kong’s air pollution reached levels dangerous to health one out of every eight days.

Since 1997, we have achieved countless victories in China, Hong Kong, and other regions (see p27-28). At the end of last year, our East Asia office was named one of Greenpeace’s global priority offices.

In this special issue, our Campaign Director Sze Pang Cheung (Kontau) looks back with us on the development of Greenpeace in Hong Kong and China, and shares with us his thoughts on how to tackle a severe environmental problem – water pollution.

Now that Greenpeace East Asia is a global priority office how will that impact our work?We will benefit from having more resources to work with, both financial and personnel-wise as international colleagues from other offices come to work with us. At the same time, being a priority also brings its share of pressure: we must work even harder and achieve more changes!

In the last decade, what changes has there been in Greenpeace’s work in China?We work on more environmental problems than before: we started with genetic engineering and electronic waste, but today we tackle climate change, energy, water pollution, pesticides and fertilizers, and forest protection. We are also more experienced and daring – we can now confront sensitive issues such as exposing the severity of water pollution, opposing China’s cultivation of genetically engineered rice, and challenging large state-owned enterprises.

Why do you think Greenpeace can be so influential in China?Greenpeace’s strength comes from our independence and our pursuit of change. We never let ourselves be open to external pressure, either politically or monetarily. As a result, we can always tell the truth and push for real, effective solutions for the environment.

What do you think the most difficult challenge in China is?I think there’s no challenge greater than the pressure that we are running out of time. Environmental disasters are taking place every day in China, and for certain issues, such as climate change, we urgently need to win victories within the next 10 years or else we’ll be faced with consequences such as runaway global warming.

What hopes and expectations do you have for the future of the East Asia office?In China mainland, Greenpeace aims to become a key influence on core environmental issues in five years. In 10 years I hope we can turn around the course of environmental damage, and start to see a decline, for example, in the massive quantities of pesticides and fertilizers used. In Taiwan and South Korea, I hope that our offices there can be well established and can start making contributions for the local and global environment.

Are you optimistic about the development of China’s environment?I think China’s environment is now at a crossroads. If it continues to worsen, the results will be unthinkable and irrevocable; if we can turn it around, however, not only the country but the world will benefit.

Tackling difficulties head on: Greenpeace in China

21

Seeking Solutions at the Source:Greenpeace on Water Pollution

As we enter 2011, climate change remains our key campaign, but we are also stepping up our investigation into water pollution, one of China’s worst environmental problems.

Why is Greenpeace working on water pollution?Water pollution is the cost of China becoming the world’s factory. Everything in our life, whether it’s a pair of jeans or a computer, requires large quantities of chemicals as part of its production process. These hazardous substances are often dumped straight from factories into rivers and lakes, where they contaminate the drinking water supply and proliferate in the environment, damaging human health. What are some key aspects of Greenpeace’s campaign?The problem of water pollution must be solved from the source – the key is to push the government to change their policies and reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in production. The government must have effective measures, laws, and market mechanisms to put these policies into place and enforce them.

What is the government’s attitude towards water pollution?Recently the government is paying more and more attention to water pollution, but the central government’s laws are often not observed or enforced. And the government’s thinking is often fixated on

correcting the symptoms, not the cause. But we should focus on preventing pollution before it occurs.

How will Greenpeace approach this complex problem?Our plan is to work from three angles. First, we aim to increase both public and government awareness of the dangers of hazardous chemicals. In addition, we will push industry to decrease the use of hazardous chemicals. Finally, we will increase the transparency of information disclosure on pollution, so that the public can participate in the local regulation and oversight of pollution.

What about the people who are affected by water pollution?When water becomes polluted, its most direct impact is the drinking water of rural people as well as the irrigation of farmland. Greenpeace believes that the government is not the only one with the right to investigate and regulate water pollution; the affected public should also have channels to acquire information about polluting industries, so that people can safeguard their lives and document and report polluters.

Are you optimistic about the campaign?Here’s an example of the changes that Greenpeace can help catalyse: Last year, a Greenpeace report on endocrine disruptors (which alter the reproductive system) attracted not only widespread media coverage but also the attention of the Ministry for Environmental Protection. In 2011, the MEP took a first step by restricting the import and export of one of the chemicals named in the report. One professor researching chemical management told us, “I have advocated for the strict management of endocrine disruptors for many years, but the government turned a deaf ear. Now after one report by Greenpeace, everyone is paying attention!”

SPRP ING ISSUEUE 1E 1122

Many people may know Greenpeace through our most visible campaigning: investigation, reporting, and non-violent direct actions. But those are just the outward aspects of our strategies: Did you know that we’ve also made many positive changes for the environment through quiet diplomacy, solid research, innovation, hard negotiations, and grassroots engagement?

Take a look behind the scenes to see how we campaign for the planet at the negotiating table!

A growing number of businesses are recognising the importance of incorporating environmental concerns into the development of sustainable business models. Greenpeace welcomes this attitude, and we have been intensifying our campaigns to encourage the private sector to adopt environmentally friendly practices.

For example, in early 2006, we approached China’s biggest home-furnishings retailer, B&Q, to show them the negative environmental impacts of their business practices, and why the destruction of primary forest does not make good business sense. A year later, B&Q pledged that by 2010 it would ensure that all its wood products for sale in China will come from certified legal and responsibly managed forests. We are now in talks with other home-furnishings companies in China to encourage them to follow B&Q’s example.

A Green Change for Business

23

We have also been involved in advocacy work on an international level. For, ultimately, the global negotiating table will play a large role in deciding the future of our planet.

At the invitation of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Greenpeace China’s then-Campaign Director Sze Ping Lo attended a UN summit meeting in New York in September 2007. Representing China’s environmental organisations, Sze Ping held talks on the effects of climate change on Chinese and international societies.

Greenpeace also attended the UN climate meetings in Bali (2007), Copenhagen (2009), Tianjin (2010) and Cancun (2010) to act as observers and to encourage fair and open discussions between developing and developed nations. Our team organised activities to put pressure on negotiators to draw up an effective, binding deal on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Separately, the Greenpeace Beijing office worked with the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee to help them fulfill their promise of a “Green Olympics”. We advised them on renewable energy, using sustainably sourced wood in construction and food safety, and pushed Beijing to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. We also wanted to draw the world’s attention to China’s environmental development. In a report released in July 2008, we evaluated Beijing’s environmental performance using a set of standards developed during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Greenpeace understands the potential of cooperation and negotiation between public, private, and non-profit sectors to create green solutions. Actions may speak louder than words, but sometimes dialogue is all we need to accomplish our goal!

Many times we push for industries to find environmentally friendly alternatives to hazardous chemicals and destructive practices. But sometimes, we create the solution ourselves.

We pioneered Greenfreeze, an environmentally friendly cooling technology to replace dangerous fluorinated gases (HCFCs and HFCs), which are a key component of refrigerators and air-conditioners. Unfortunately, fluorinated gases (F-gases for short) are 11,000 times more powerful greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide – not good for something that we use every day!

In an encouraging sign of the economic viability of eco-friendly business practices, Greenfreeze was widely embraced by companies and consumers alike. This natural refrigerant is now used in 400 million refrigerators in Europe, Asia, and South America, by leading manufacturers such as Haier, Panasonic, LG, Miele, and Siemens. Beside its environmental credentials, Greenfreeze also has lower operating costs and easier maintenance. That’s exactly what we want to show the world – environmental measures can make good business sense too!

In the run up to the Beijing Olympics, we focused our efforts on urging beverage manufacturers to make their Olympics refrigerators free of F-gases. In 2007, Coca Cola agreed that all of their 6,350 coolers and vending machines would use natural refrigerants. In December 2009, Coca Cola announced that 100% of its vending machines and coolers would be HFC-free by 2015. Greenpeace is now lobbying other companies such as McDonald’s and Pepsi to follow suit.

When businesses adopt an environmental conscience, they are rewarded by customer trust, an enhanced brand image and, consequently, the confidence of shareholders. We are committed to continuing to push companies to change their behavior and improve their environmental record.

Greening BusinessMaking the Solutions:

Greenfreeze

SPRING ISSUE 1124

Greenpeace Fashion through the Ages

25

Fashion is not the sole domain of models and ‘it’ girls. Here at Greenpeace we are also very serious about fashion – that is, using fashion to spread our campaign messages!

Perhaps you’ve noticed that throughout the decades Greenpeace offices around the world will create special T-shirts for each campaign. These unique t-shirts help showcase our message during actions and interviews. In other words, every T-shirt tells a story.

Take a look at Greenpeace’s fashion display! All shirts are limited editions and not for sale! You can buy our latest Greenpeace shirts at www.cafepress.com/greenpeace.

SPRING ISSUE 1126

碁

……

In 2011, we are celebrating Greenpeace’s 40-year anniversary!

For the last 40 years, Greenpeace has been working with the public around the world to create wave after wave of positive changes for the environment. We have ended French nuclear testing, saved the lives of countless whales, and pushed global corporations to make their electronics toxics-free, and more.

These victories do not belong to Greenpeace alone, but to every dedicated supporter, volunteer, and activist. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief, which have helped us along every step of the way, pushing us closer and closer to our goal of creating a greener future for the earth!

Your Support Creates Victorie

Stop the BombFrance ends atmospheric nuclear tests in the South Pacific after Greenpeace protests at the test site.

Save the WhalesAfter Greenpeace actions against whalers at sea, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adopts a moratorium against commercial whaling.

Green is CoolGreenpeace wins the United Nations Environmental Programme Ozone Award for developing Greenfreeze – a natural, harmless refrigerant that doesn’t destroy the ozone or warm the climate (which other refrigerants do). Greenfreeze is now in refrigerators and air-conditioners throughout Europe and Asia – read more on p22-23.

Say No to GEThe first edition of our guide on avoiding genetically engineered (GE) foods is published in Hong Kong; 65 food companies commit to not sell GE foods in Hong Kong.

Toxics-Free ElectronicsElectronics giants HP, LG, Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Dell, Acer and Lenovo, and other companies commit to phasing out toxic chemicals in their products and raw materials.

1982

2001

1975

1997

2005

27

Sweet Success for OrangutansNestle, the world’s largest food company, agrees to stop buying and using palm oil from sources that destroy rainforests – including Sinar Mas, whose plantations are responsible for rampant deforestation in Indonesia.

s for the Earth!

A Good Year for the AmazonBrazil establishes a 6.4 million hectare conservation area in the Amazon, and McDonald’s agrees to stop buying and selling chickens raised on soybeans grown in deforested areas of the Amazon.

The True Cost of CoalThe Chinese government said it would look into coal-pricing reform after Greenpeace released The True Cost of Coal, which calculated the environmental, social and economic losses to China as a result of burning coal.

A More Sustainable TissueAfter five years of Greenpeace lobbying, Kimberly-Clark (maker of Kleenex and other popular paper-tissue brands) agrees to implement strict sourcing standards for their wood fiber and strengthen protection for the world’s forests.

2006

2008

2009

2010

E

POSTAGE PAID

HONG KONG

PORT PAYE

PERMIT

NO 333

ECONOMY

“Defending the Planet every day & around the world!” Greenpeace

www.greenpeace.org.hk