The evidence is in: Renewable energy is viable, reliable, and ready to go – all that’s missing is the political will to kick start an energy revolution in South Africa. On this page Greenpeace has grouped some of the most common myths about renewable energy, explaining why they are just that – myths that don’t stand up to reality. But here’s the thing, although they’ve … [Read more...]
Fracking: a dead end for Britain
Large-scale fracking is a must for the UK economy, says a new report from the House of Lords. But it confuses opinion with fact, cherry-picks data, and six of its authors have a stake in the industry. The real solutions, writes Tony Bosworth, lie in energy efficiency and renewables. Thursday's report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on shale gas was a … [Read more...]
There Are No Human Rights on a Dead Planet
I spoke at the International Association of Democratic Lawyers congress in Brussels. In the audience there were over 500 hundred progressive lawyers from over 50 countries. Many of these lawyers focus on human rights issues. I called on the lawyers attending the congress to join me in campaigning for environmental protection and protecting environmental human rights defenders. … [Read more...]
No whale meat shipment allowed in Durban port
This week the cargo ship Alma, carrying 2,000 tons of endangered fin whale meat from Iceland, has decided not to enter the South African port of Durban. The ship was en route to Japan to deliver its condemnable cargo in Tokyo and wanted to resupply halfway. It would have met public outrage. In three days over 21,000 South Africans joined Greenpeace in its request to the … [Read more...]
Greenpeace urges end to fossil fuel investments
A climate crisis that risks peace and security can still be avoided by accelerating the clean energy revolution, Greenpeace said on Tuesday. Issuing an SOS emergency alert ahead of an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting in Japan, Greenpeace warned that climate change is already devastating nations, destroying lives and costing billions of dollars in … [Read more...]
Nordic consumer giant commits to No Deforestation
Nordic consumer goods giant, Orkla, which also owns Indian brand MTR Foods, today committed to remove forest destruction from the palm oil it uses in its products. “This policy covers one of the biggest palm oil buyers in the Nordic countries and is the first to cover a major brand originating in India. People power is driving enormous change in the industry. This means … [Read more...]
Seeking justice for the Arctic 30
A case was launched yesterday at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of the Arctic 30, who spent two months in Russian jail for a peaceful protest to save the Arctic. The 30 individuals are requesting "just compensation" from the Russian Federation, and importantly, a statement from the independent Court saying that their apprehension in international waters by … [Read more...]
Some companies are taking deforestation seriously
Mars has committed to remove deforestation from all of its products by the end of 2015, a move that places pressure on companies such as Procter & Gamble to set an equally ambitious No Deforestation Policy. In addition, Greenpeace activists today documented ongoing forest clearance and unfurled a giant banner in a palm oil plantation in Indonesia which is owned by … [Read more...]
New solar collector could power entire planet
A team at IBM recently developed what they call a High Concentration Photo Voltaic Thermal (HCPVT) system that is capable of concentrating the power of 2,000 suns, they are even claiming to be able to concentrate energy safely up to 5,000X, that’s huge. The process of trapping the sunlight produces water that can be used to produce filtered drinkable water, or used for other … [Read more...]
Let’s take away Eskom’s license to pollute
Right now Eskom is seeking long-term postponements from complying with pollution standards designed to protect our health. They say complying with the standards would cost them too much, and that its coal plants don't affect human health – a claim that has been completely rubbished by recent research. Eskom is applying for long-term postponements for two-thirds of its … [Read more...]
Global retailer commits to No Deforestation
Belgium-based international retailer Delhaize Group has become the first supermarket chain in the world to commit to a No Deforestation Policy with full traceability. The move follows public pressure in Belgium and just three days after Greenpeace launched a global campaign demanding an end to forest destruction for palm oil. “This is a win for consumers in Belgium and … [Read more...]
Tassie Arctic hero finally back home
Russian authorities arrested and detained the 30 crew members of Greenpeace vessel the Arctic Sunrise for 100 days for participating in a peaceful protest. On 10 September 2013 armed commandos boarded and seized the Arctic Sunrise in international waters for attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. The Arctic 30 have finally returned home … [Read more...]
Eyes turn to Russian parliament on eve of amnesty vote
A crucial vote in the Duma (Russian parliament) tomorrow could see the end of legal proceedings against the Arctic 30. At a first hearing the Duma today adopted the text of an amnesty bill drawn up by the office of President Putin which does not include the Arctic 30. But amendments are being proposed and a final vote is expected tomorrow. Crucially, powerful figures in the … [Read more...]
