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Greenpeace

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Greenpeace
Date Formed:
1971
History and Mission of the institution:
In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world, a small team of activists set sail from Vancouver, Canada in an old fishing boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few individuals could make a difference.
Their mission was to ‘bear witness’ to US nuclear testing at Amchitka, a tiny island off the West Coast of Alaska, which is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions. Amchitka was the last refuge for 3000 endangered sea otters, and home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons and other wildlife.
Even though their old boat, the Phyllis Cormack, was intercepted before it got to Amchitka, the journey sparked a flurry of public interest. The US still detonated the bomb, but the voice of reason had been heard. Nuclear testing on Amchitka ended that same year, and the island was later declared a bird sanctuary.
Members of the institution:
The Greenpeace organisation consists of Greenpeace International in Amsterdam and Greenpeace offices in 41 countries around the world. Each office is governed by a board, which appoints a representative called a trustee.
Roles
* Examine the effect of human activities on the environment * Make information known to the public * Make information known to the public * Relieve sickness and suffering of humans and animals caused by environmental issues
UK involvement in this institution: * Greenpeace UK is part of a truly global campaigning movement. With almost 3 million financial supporters around the world, and a presence in 46 countries, we work where we will have the biggest global impact. From China to Brazil, Indonesia to the United States and – uniquely – on the high seas, Greenpeace works to defend the natural world and promote peace.
Two examples of work: * Save the Arctic Campaign which involves targeting Lego and Shell Company for drilling in the arctic. They’ve done this by using a unique campaign involving aanimated Lego-style video, coming in the wake of the hugely popular Lego Movie. The initial video, which featured a Lego Arctic paradise being slowly flooded with oil, has already notched up more than 5m YouTube views since it was uploaded last month.
(http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/greenpeace-campaigns-companies-lego-mattel-barbie-shell)
* Fashion Detox campaign targeting Burberry and Primark over the use of hazardous chemicals. Greenpeace wants them to get rid of using toxic chemicals by 2020. (http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/greenpeace-campaigns-companies-lego-mattel-barbie-shell). It organised a three-day "social media storm", which involved more than 10,000 tweets being sent to Burberry, as well as concerted action through Facebook and Instagram. This worked in tandem with high-street action, which saw volunteers in six countries campaigning outside Burberry stores. The desired effect was achieved, with Burberry committing to rid its manufacturing process of toxic, perflourinated chemicals by 2020, as well as increasing supply chain transparency. Primark made the same pledge two weeks later.

Impact on the public services
Essential public services are being cut, along with crucial programmes to secure clean, safe energy to power our homes and businesses.
Police may have to deal with protests by Greenpeace who object to certain courses of action being taken by governments and corporations regarding the well-being of the environment.

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