Greenpeace Australia Pacific press release

Choking it. How free is free-to-air TV?

aharris — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:04:00 +0200

Sydney, Friday 17 May 2013: Channel 7 and SBS have followed Channel 9’s lead and banned a controversial Greenpeace recycling advert.

http://youtu.be/Q7Uxaw6YoRw

Despite clearance and classification by Free TV- the industry regulatory body - a Channel 7 representative called the ad ‘inappropriate’ before issuing the ban order.

In just over a week, the ad – which fingers fizzy drinks giant Coca-Cola for blocking recycling legislation - has been viewed over 850,000 times on YouTube.

“None of the channels have clarified why an ad that has passed their own industry body’s standards is unfit to air,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Reece Turner. “The most logical conclusion is that the networks fear losing advertising revenue from Coca-Cola.”

“Frankly, it’s astounding to find ourselves in a situation where a company that sells fizzy drinks can control what Australians have the right to watch on TV.”

To compound the media blackout, Coca-Cola has further attempted to control the debate by purchasing nearly every conceivable Google Ad Word relating to recycling and cash for containers. It seems the beverage giant has even gone so far as purchasing the search term ‘Greenpeace.’

“With over 80% of Australians in favour of cash for containers scheme (Neilson poll 2012), Coke’s spurious arguments are losing in the court of public opinion,” said Turner. “Now, instead of doing the right thing, the corporation is trying to use its muscle to shut down discussion.”

For more information contact Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz on 0400 376 021

Pacific tuna boats struggle for survival: GreenpeacePacific tuna boats struggle for survival.

jling — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:56:00 +0200

Honiara, May 13, 2013 – Local tuna boat operators targeting albacore in the South Pacific are under threat of being pushed out of operation altogether due to the steady growth in numbers of subsidized foreign fishing vessels. (i)

According to a recent report by the Forum Fisheries Agency (ii), certain foreign fishing fleets were receiving subsidies in the form of fuel offsets, new vessel construction, preferential tax treatment and payment for access fees.

“These subsidies fuel the plunder of South Pacific albacore and are now leading to localized depletions and declines in catch rates across the fishery, jeopardizing the livelihoods of locally owned small-scale tuna boat operators in Pacific Island countries” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific oceans campaigner, Duncan Williams.

Greenpeace is urging Pacific nations attending the 85th Annual Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands this week to support local, sustainable small-scale fisheries over foreign owned, large-scale fishing vessels and fleets that utilize high-impact fishing practices and operate under a ‘pay, fish and go’ model.

“Favorable policies must be put in place by governments at the national and regional levels to assist this transformation of Pacific fisheries.”

“There is growing demand in major markets for sustainable tuna caught by socially responsible fisheries. Our region is well positioned to develop its small-scale and community level tuna fisheries to meet this demand and bring the benefits back to our countries and island communities,” added Greenpeace oceans campaigner, Duncan Williams.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of marine reserves covering 40% of the world’s oceans, including the four high seas pockets known as the Pacific Commons (iii) to be all declared off limits to fishing. The environmental group is also seeking a ban on the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) in purse seine fisheries and a 50% reduction in the catch of bigeye tuna.

The 85^th Annual FFC Meeting concludes this Friday, May 17.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For interviews, contact:

Kelvin Anthony (Communications Officer), kelvin.anthony@greenpeace.org (679) 9463700
Duncan Williams (Oceans Campaigner), duncan.williams@greenpeace.org (679) 9926232
Seni Nabou (Political Adviser), seni.nabou@greenpeace.org (679) 9922053

NOTES:

(i)Rapid Buildup South Pacific Albacore Long Line Fleet Creates Unease; Atuna.com, December 7, 2011

Fishing subsidies threated Pacific tuna stocks; Australia Network News; August 17, 2012

Opposition: Too many foreign fishing vessels; Cook Islands News; November 21, 2012

Fishing Operator Asks For Reduction In Albacore Licenses; Atuna.com; January 2, 2013

Fiji’s Tuna Industry under Threat; farmbudnews.com; May 11, 2013

(ii) Fisheries Subsidies and incentives provided by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to its Distant Water Fishing (DWF) Industry; April 4, 2013. [Available online at: http://www.ffa.int/node/737]

(iii) Map of the Pacific Commons http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/marine-reserves/pacific-tuna-need-marine-reserves/

Channel 9 bottles it over controversial recycling ad

aharris — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:35:00 +0200

Sydney, Friday 10th May 2013: In an 11th hour decision, Channel 9 has banned Greenpeace’s controversial ad in support of a national cash for cans recycling scheme. The ad – lampooning Coca-Cola’s opposition to effective recycling – has gone viral, being viewed over half a million times on YouTube since its release on Monday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Uxaw6YoRw

In less than 24 hours, individual Australians chipped in more than $20,000 to get the ad on Friday night football which is essential viewing for key decision-maker, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell. Channel 9 has already accepted payment for the ad. A representative refused to explain why the station was now pulling the plug.

“They took the money and now they’ve bottled it,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Reece Turner. “There’s something seriously wrong when TV networks are happy to show gambling, rape and pillage, but are too afraid to air an ad for recycling.”

“Coke has been accused of bullying politicians into blocking cash for containers,” said Turner. “It’s a reasonable assumption their influence is behind Channel 9’s last minute choking. Australians have a right to know what Coke is doing to our environment. It’s just a pity Channel 9 don’t have the guts to tell the truth.”

Last month, NSW Nationals MP John Williams blamed vested interests for the failure to implement cash for containers. “Both Labor and Liberal governments have been supported by the Packaged Stewardship Forum which basically helps them with elections and helps with funds," Mr Williams said. "I don't think that's in the best interests of getting the job done with container deposit legislation."

“Cash for containers is supported by over 80% of Australians because it is proven to be good policy,” said Turner. “We expect that Channel 9 will return the cash, but it does not look like they will respect the right of Australians to be heard.”

For more information contact Greenpeace Campaigner Reece Turner on 0408 754 910 or

Communications Manager James Lorenz on 0400 376 021

Ad Campaign: Australians Tell Coca-Cola, Stop Trashing Australia

aharris — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:24:00 +0200

Sydney, Monday 6 May 2013: On the eve of Coca-Cola Amatil’s AGM, Greenpeace has launched a television advertisement skewering the beverage giant’s efforts to sabotage a national ‘cash for containers’ scheme.

http://youtu.be/Q7Uxaw6YoRw

“Coca-Cola has relentlessly bullied politicians, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars silencing recycling advocates and taken the Northern Territory (NT) Government to court to crush the Territory’s community-supported scheme,” said Reece Turner, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

“Behind Coke’s slogans and sunshine, the beverage giant is trashing Australia.”

The crowd-funded ad also seeks to encourage Australians to tell State Premiers to stand up for the environment by supporting a national ‘cash for containers’ scheme.

“Coke’s efforts to crush this scheme are brazen and damaging to the environment. State premiers must stand up to Coke’s bullying by making their support for an effective ‘cash for containers’ scheme loud and clear.”

“With the support of Australians who want to see the health of our waterways and wildlife put ahead of corporate arrogance, we aim to get this advertisement on television screens across the country.”

Australians use between 13-14 billion drinks containers a year and Clean Up Australia estimates that 45% of the rubbish collected every Clean Up Australia Day is beverage industry-related. The waste is particularly devastating for Australian marine birds. Scientists say two-thirds are affected by plastic, either becoming entangled, or mistaking it for food.

“Wildlife is needlessly dying with seabirds literally starving on a full stomach”.  

“The benefits of recycling refund schemes are well known and we hope people will agree - further delay can’t be stomached,” said Turner.

For more information contact Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz on 0400 376 021

Thousands back action against the ‘angry drunk’ of Australian politics

aharris — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:48:00 +0200

1 May, 2013: Today the coal industry has been put on notice that the expansion of Australia’s coal exports will be met with further peaceful resistance for as long as Australian governments fail to act on the problem.

In a full page advertisement in today’s The Australian Financial Review, 10,000 people endorsed a statement that civil disobedience is justified to stop the coal industry expansion which will drive dangerous climate change and threaten the existence of the Great Barrier Reef.

Last week, six activists from the Rainbow Warrior boarded a coal export ship leaving north Queensland and occupied the open deck for 28 hours. As the six maintained peaceful vigil, Australians in their thousands signed the joint statement in support of civil disobedience against the expansion of coal exports.

The over 700 million tonnes per year of greenhouse pollution produced from coal exported from Australia are much larger than Australia's own domestic greenhouse emissions from all sources. According to projections by the Bureau of Resource and Energy Economics, coal exports from Australia will roughly double in a little over a decade if action is not taken to prevent it.

“The failure of our major political parties to act on this threat is acute, while the necessity to reduce carbon emissions is urgent. We, the undersigned, believe peaceful civil disobedience is now justified to prevent the further expansion of coal exports,” reads the statement.

Eminent Australians also endorsed the actions of the activists. Leading author and academic Robert Manne said “I support the peaceful actions of those who have boarded the vessel taking our coal to South Korea. And I salute their civic courage."

Senior Greenpeace campaigner, Dr. Georgina Woods said, “The coal industry is the angry drunk of Australian politics, demanding it gets whatever it wants before closing time. We are not prepared to watch them take the Great Barrier Reef and much more that we hold dear down with them.”

“Our choices at this point could not be more stark: Australia is participating in a betrayal of our common future by expanding our coal export industry despite the very clear and irreversible consequences for climate change. Thousands of Australians are now standing up and saying that we are not prepared to let this happen” concluded Woods.

New research shows that between 60-80% of coal, oil and gas reserves of publicly listed companies are ‘unburnable’ if the world is to have a chance of not exceeding global warming of 2°C.

For further information or interviews, contact:

Dr Georgina Woods: 0498 475 431

Elsa Evers: 0438 204 041

Greenpeace coal ship protest ends, campaign to continue

jling — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +0200

Coral Sea, off Australian coast – 25 April 2013-- Six Greenpeace activists who maintained a 28 hour protest on board a coal ship as it left Australia have returned to the Rainbow Warrior and are on their way to Cairns.

The actions of the group who boarded the ship early on Wednesday bore witness to the role of Australian coal exports in driving climate change, and have garnered support from thousands of people around the world, including prominent Australians like climate scientist Professor Matthew England, Prof Clive Hamilton and Prof Robert Manne.

“Six activists got on board this ship and already thousands have come on board to support Greenpeace taking direct action against this globally polluting industry that poses a direct threat to the climate and the Great Barrier Reef,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Climate Campaigner, Georgina Woods.

“Despite our protest, despite all of the rational reasons to end the age of coal, the industry and our Government plays deaf and blind to the growing threat of climate change.

“This is just the beginning. It is clear to us that we have widespread community support to wage a campaign of peaceful civil disobedience against coal, to stop it from inflicting irreversible harm on Australia. It is clear, too, that many more Australians need to join us, putting ourselves on the line to stop coal, if we are to halt this juggernaut.

“The ship we boarded has continued on its way to South Korea. We are returning to Australia to show this country that we are not daunted: we will continue to disrupt, oppose and fight the expansion of coal, in the interests of the country and all our futures.

One of the activists who boarded the MV Meister, Emma, from Australia, said: “After 28 hours on board it is clear to me that neither myself nor Greenpeace alone can stop these ships. That's why it is so important that all Australians step up so together we can slow, then stop, this dangerous trade."

The Rainbow Warrior is now en route to Cairns and is expected to arrive there over the weekend.

Further information: Cindy Baxter 0402 588 170

Update: As Greenpeace protest continues, support increases

aharris — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:20:00 +0200

Coral Sea, off Australia coast, 24 April 2013: As six Greenpeace volunteers remain on a coal export ship they boarded just outside the Great Barrier Reef this morning, support from prominent Australians is gathering pace.

Leading Australian climate scientist, Professor Matthew England said: “This action by Greenpeace draws attention to the role of our coal exports in contributing to ongoing global warming. It's vital that the world moves away from coal-based energy to avoid dangerous levels of climate change. This means Australia has to urgently rethink any expansion in our coal exports.”

Author and Professor Robert Manne said:

"By far the gravest problem facing the world in our times is the threat of catastrophic global warming. Australia's greatest contribution to this problem are our coal exports. It is not too late for humankind to take action. For these reasons, I support the peaceful actions of those who have boarded the vessel taking our coal to South Korea. And I salute their civic courage."

Professor Clive Hamilton of Charles Sturt University today published an article in The Conversation: "The kind of action taken by the activists from the Rainbow Warrior shines a light on the hypocrisy of authorities who use smooth words to persuade us that they accept the danger yet vigorously promote the activities that are making it worse.

  The six activists from Australia, New Zealand, China, the United States and India have now been stationed on the bow of the MV Meister for eight hours and are not planning to leave any time soon. Amid rising seas, they have been conducting interviews with the global media, calling for a halt to the expansion of Australia's coal exports, due to the contribution they would make to climate change.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Climate Campaigner Georgina Woods said, “We are yet to hear from any of Australia's political leadership that they will respond to the threat posed by the coal export industry. For as long as they are silent, Greenpeace will continue to act.”

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is following the coal tanker at a safe distance, and the Captain has been in contact with Queensland police and other authorities.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific spokespeople available are:

Dr Georgina Woods, senior climate campaigner on the Rainbow Warrior

Ben Pearson, Program Director, in Sydney

Louise Mattheisson, Queensland community campaigner, in Brisbane

For all interview requests contact:

Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

Cindy Baxter: 0402 588 170

Photos/video available here: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org

Username: photos Password: green

Youtube video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zayFWX_d-4M

Greenpeace activists board coal export shipment in Coral Sea

aharris — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:29:00 +0200

Coral Sea, 24 April 2013--At 7:00am this morning, Greenpeace volunteers climbed aboard a coal ship leaving Australia, demanding an end to the expansion of coal exports, Australia’s greatest contribution to climate change.

At sunrise, the six activists left the Rainbow Warrior on inflatable boats and drew up alongside the MV Meister, a ship carrying thermal coal loaded at Abbot point in Queensland. Using steel ladders, they climbed the side of the ship and are now sitting at the bow.

Greenpeace boarded the ship just after it left the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The six activists come from five countries in the Asia Pacific region where Greenpeace is campaigning to end the age of coal: Australia, India, the US, China, and New Zealand.

Australia's coal exports are the nation’s greatest contribution to climate change and plans are underway to roughly double the volume of coal we export. Yet every tonne of coal that is exported will return to us as climate change: bushfires, heatwaves and drought.

“Our scientists and political leaders have all said climate change is a problem that we must address now,” said Greenpeace senior climate campaigner Dr Georgina Woods, “yet our coal exports continue to grow.”
India remains a prime destination for these coal exports: that’s why Arpana Udupa, Climate and Energy Campaigner from Greenpeace India joined today’s action.

“India needs to look beyond coal – whether it comes from Australia or India,” said Ms Udupa. “Renewable energy and energy efficiency has far more to offer my country that does Australia’s coal. With 72% of India’s 1.2 billion population vulnerable to climate change, it is not in India’s interest for the Great Barrier Reef to be destroyed and climate change sped up by Australia’s coal exports.”

US activist Harmony Lambert, joined the action to highlight the global nature of both the industry and the threat, saying: “The coal industry has directly impacted communities in the US through mountaintop removal, coal pollution and dangerous waste storage sites, but the burning of coal is not just a local issue,” said Ms Lambert.

“Coal is the largest contributor to climate change around the world - both the United States and Australia needs to stop exports of this dangerous commodity.”

Greenpeace has tried every available means to stop the expansion of dangerous coal exports (1). One new coal terminal is under construction in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area; another was approved in October last year, and a third is seeking approval now.

“In the clear absence of political leadership to address this problem, Greenpeace is stepping in to take immediate and peaceful action. Australia’s coal export boom cannot be allowed to continue.”

According to research commissioned by Greenpeace (2), Australia's coal export expansion is the second biggest of fourteen proposed fossil fuel enterprises that will push the world beyond agreed global warming limits.

“We cannot pretend Australia is playing its part to avoid dangerous climate change if these shipments continue.”

The coal export expansion planned for Queensland would threaten the Great Barrier Reef through dredging, coastal constructions and increased shipping. Moreover, coral reefs around the world are unlikely to survive if global temperatures increase by 1.5 degrees (3).

“Right now, we’re heading decisively for four degrees of warming,” said Dr Woods. “If we want to save the Great Barrier Reef, it's time to end the of age of coal.”

Further information contact Elsa Evers 0438 204 041
or Cindy Baxter: 0402 588 170

Photos available shortly: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org
Login: photos Password: green

Video will be available on request

Notes:

(1) See history of the last three years of bureaucratic and political failure to protect the Reef and stop the expansion of Australian coal here

(2) “Point of No Return” – Greenpeace International, February 2013

(3) Latest science on climate change and the reef

Greenpeace calls for action against coal company for poor environmental assessment

jling — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:55:00 +0200

Mackay, Queensland- 18 April 2013: Greenpeace is calling on Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to suspend his approval of Hancock Coal’s T3 coal terminal at Abbot Point while a federal investigation into the environmental assessment of it is underway.

Greenpeace has spent the last two days documenting the three sites most impacted by this proposal; Abbot Point, the nearby Caley Valley wetlands and Holbourne Island, near the proposed site for dumping dredge spoil.

“These photos show the Australian community just what Hancock Coal is willing to sacrifice to build their terminals,” said Dr Georgina Woods, Greenpeace campaigner.

“Industry claims that Abbot Point coal terminal can be expanded without affecting the unique beauty of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Caley Valley wetlands have been exposed as completely erroneous.

Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior was in Airlie Beach this week, and the crew met with dive instructor Tony Fontes, who has worked in the tourism industry for 30 years and is the chair of the local marine advisory committee.

"There are tens of thousands of people like me who make a living from the Great Barrier Reef," said Mr Fontes.

“The current expansion of coal exports along the Queensland coast is putting the Great Barrier Reef and our livelihoods at risk, not to mention the health and well-being of the thousands of animals that live on the Reef."

"Industrial coal port developments will damage delicate coastal environments and coal exports will worsen climate change, causing more coral bleaching," he said.

“The Caley Valley wetlands are stunningly beautiful and alive with extraordinary birdlife, including large numbers of migratory birds and the endangered Painted Snipe,” said Dr Woods.

“Abbot Point boasts a turtle nesting beach and is home to dugong and Snubfin dolphins,” continued Dr Woods. “It also captures history in the middens that trace the dunes running the length of the beach – middens that have been dated back 700 years.”

“The photos and footage taken at the dredge site off Holbourne Island show manta rays, giant clams, rich tropical marine life and coral. This reef could be covered in a sediment plume if plans to dump dredge spoil from Abbot Point go ahead,” said Dr Woods.

“The community of Far North Queensland is relying on Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to stop the expansion of the Abbot Point terminal and protect the Great Barrier Reef,” concluded Dr Woods.

For further information contact:

Dr Georgina Woods: 0437 405 932

Elsa Evers: 0438 204 041

For images and video, visit: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=15055

username: photos password: green

Greenpeace salutes tourism reef guardians as Rainbow Warrior sails into Airlie Beach

jling — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:39:00 +0200

Wednesday April 17, Airlie Beach: The Rainbow Warrior sailed into the "heart of the reef" in Airlie Beach today where the captain spoke with tourism representatives about protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

"Eco-tourism operators on the Great Barrier Reef play an important role in caring for this natural wonder," said Greenpeace Program Director Ben Pearson.

"Many tourism operators are leading the way protecting the Reef with activities like coral health monitoring, removing crown of thorns starfish and implementing their own best environmental practices."

"If the proposed expansions at Abbot Point and Dudgeon Point go ahead however, the Whitsunday Islands could soon be wedged between two of the world's biggest coal ports."

Dive instructor Tony Fontes has worked in the tourism industry for 30 years and is the chair of the local marine advisory committee.

"There are tens of thousands of people like me who make a living from the Great Barrier Reef," said Mr Fontes.

"Industrial coal port developments will damage delicate coastal environments and coal exports will worsen climate change, causing more coral bleaching," Mr Fontes said.

The captain of the Rainbow Warrior, Pete Willcox said, "We've had an amazing warm welcome here in Airlie Beach from tourism operators and the people of the Whitsundays.”

"As an American I know when people think of Australia, they think of the Great Barrier Reef. It's crazy to be expanding coal exports right through the middle of it."

"We still have a chance to save the Reef from the ravages of climate change, but we have to take strong action now to reduce the amount of coal we're burning, not let it increase."

For interviews, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041 or Louise Matthiesson, 0406 041 428

For images, go to: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

Michael Caton and Katie Noonan to visit Rainbow Warrior in Melbourne

aharris — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:08:00 +0100

Katie Noonan to play live set during open day in support of ‘Save the Reef’ campaign

14 March, 2013: At 12pm this Saturday afternoon, singer-songwriter Katie Noonan will be taking time out from her dates at Melbourne Arts Centre’s Famous Spiegeltent to perform a 45-minute set with her band in front of Greenpeace’s new Rainbow Warrior.

The set is part of Greenpeace’s free ‘Rainbow Warrior’ open days, held between 9 am and 2pm this Saturday and 10am and 2pm on Sunday at Melbourne’s Princes Peer.

Katie will be performing the music from her Spiegeltent production Love-Song-Circus in support of the Greenpeace campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef, which is under threat by the reckless expansion of the coal industry.

As she explains, "I support this campaign because I refuse to be part of the generation that stood by and let the Great Barrier Reef be wrecked by coal ports and climate change. How many scientists do we need to tell us to act before we actually listen? Right now, today, is the critical moment. Please join this campaign. Help us to join together to say enough is enough."

“We’re really delighted to have Katie’s support for this campaign. She’s a passionate advocate for protecting the Great Barrier Reef and another fantastic reason for Victorians to come down to visit the Rainbow Warrior this weekend,” said Greenpeace CEO David Ritter.

On Friday, actor and Australian legend Michael Caton will also drop by for lunch on the Rainbow Warrior to meet the crew and also lend his support to the campaign.

“I'm not about to say 'end all coal mining' but, really, how much is enough?” asks Caton. “We seem determined to dig everything up and sell it in a generation…Where does this leave future generations? What will they say of us? Thanks for leaving us with a worked out quarry and the natural beauty of our wonderful Barrier Reef destroyed by rising water temperatures."

The Rainbow Warrior will be in Australia for six weeks, travelling between Melbourne and Far North Queensland.

For more information, contact Greenpeace Communication Manager James Lorenz on 0400 376 021.

Saving the Reef from coal number one priority for the new Rainbow Warrior

aharris — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:53:00 +0100

Wednesday 13 March, Melbourne: The new state-of-the-art Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior sailed into Port Phillip Bay this morning, marking the start of a six-week tour. The iconic vessel is in Australia to join the campaign to save the Great Barrier Reef from the reckless expansion of the coal industry.

“The Rainbow Warrior could not have come at a more important time,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter. “The speed and scale of coal expansion spells disaster for our climate and for the Great Barrier Reef. Decisions made right now will resonate for generations to come. Whether you can physically visit the ship or not, we invite all Australians to get on board with our campaign.”
Captain Peter Wilcox, who was at the helm of the original Rainbow Warrior bombed in Auckland Harbour in 1985, will lead the tour. “The Rainbow Warrior has been the heart and soul of Greenpeace global campaigning for over 30 years”, said Captain Peter Wilcox. “She’s been raided, rammed, shot at and bombed, but the spirit of the Rainbow Warrior is as strong as ever.”

After French Government agents bombed the first Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985, her replacement picked up the baton and led global campaigns for over 21 years before going to a Bangladesh charity that now uses the vessel as a hospital ship. The new Rainbow Warrior is Greenpeace’s first purpose-built ship.

“Greenpeace is independent – we receive no money from governments or corporations, so the new Warrior was funded entirely by individual donations – including from thousands of Australians. It’s great to be able to show people what they made possible,” said Ritter.

During its six weeks in Australia, the Rainbow Warrior will bring together a diverse range of people who want a cleaner and safer future. These include Indian renewable energy experts, local communities fighting coal development, farmers, fishermen and tourism operators worried about what coal is doing to the Australian countryside and the Great Barrier Reef.

“This ship has been part of some great victories in the past. But make no mistake, the challenge of climate change and protecting the Great Barrier Reef is one of the biggest ever,” concluded Ritter.
For information on public tours, go to: www.rainbowwarrior.com.au

For more information, contact:
Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For images, go to:
www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos. Password: green

Saving the Reef from coal number one priority for the new Rainbow Warrior

jling — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:28:00 +0100

“The Rainbow Warrior could not have come at a more important time,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter. “The speed and scale of coal expansion spells disaster for our climate and for the Great Barrier Reef. Decisions made right now will resonate for generations to come. Whether you can physically visit the ship or not, we invite all Australians to get on board with our campaign.”

Captain Peter Wilcox, who was at the helm of the original Rainbow Warrior bombed in Auckland Harbour in 1985, will lead the tour. “The Rainbow Warrior has been the heart and soul of Greenpeace global campaigning for over 30 years”, said Captain Peter Wilcox. “She’s been raided, rammed, shot at and bombed, but the spirit of the Rainbow Warrior is as strong as ever.”

After French Government agents bombed the first Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985, her replacement picked up the baton and led global campaigns for over 21 years before going to a Bangladesh charity that now uses the vessel as a hospital ship. The new Rainbow Warrior is Greenpeace’s first purpose-built ship.

“Greenpeace is independent – we receive no money from governments or corporations, so the new Warrior was funded entirely by individual donations – including from thousands of Australians. It’s great to be able to show people what they made possible,” said Ritter.

During its six weeks in Australia, the Rainbow Warrior will bring together a diverse range of people who want a cleaner and safer future. These include Indian renewable energy experts, local communities fighting coal development, farmers, fishermen and tourism operators worried about what coal is doing to the Australian countryside and the Great Barrier Reef.

“This ship has been part of some great victories in the past. But make no mistake, the challenge of climate change and protecting the Great Barrier Reef is one of the biggest ever,” concluded Ritter.

For information on public tours, go to: www.rainbowwarrior.com.au

For more information, contact:
Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For images, go to:
www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos. Password: green

New ad campaign: starved on a full stomach... brought to you by Coca-Cola

aharris — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:08:00 +0100

Sydney, 07 March 2013: Following Coke’s scandalous court victory against recycling this week, Greenpeace has launched a crowd-funded graphic advertising campaign in Fairfax papers showing what Coke’s bullying means for the environment.

The full-page ads in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald were entirely funded by an unprecedented flood of individual donations. In just over two weeks, over 50,000 people have already signed up to the campaign calling on politicians to implement a national ‘Cash for Containers’ scheme.

Depicted in the ad is a Flesh-footed Shearwater from pristine Lord Howe Island, which starved on a full stomach - full of plastic waste it had mistaken for food.[1] Scientists say that two-thirds of seabirds are affected by plastic trash which pollutes our waterways, rivers and end up in our oceans.[2] Other species known to be impacted by plastic pollution in our oceans include turtles, whales, seals and fish. One of the biggest culprits is creating this plastic pollution is the beverage industry.

Coke is currently trashing a popular and proven 10 cent recycling refund scheme and is the main blocker standing in the way of a national scheme. ‘Cash for containers’ has run successfully for 30 years in South Australia, where recycling rates are almost double those across the rest of the country.

Coca Cola Amatil has for years sought to undermine this proven system, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on misleading advertising[3] and reportedly threatening to campaign against MPs who support the policy.[4]

“The spotlight is now on the State Premiers, especially Barry O’Farrell and Ted Baillieu, to stand up to Coke’s relentless bullying and take action to protect the environment from Coke’s blatant corporate self-interest,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Reece Turner.

“With only 5 weeks until Environment Ministers meet on 11 April to decide on a national roll out of ‘Cash for Containers’, these Premiers must decide whether they side with Coke or the community.”

Each year Australian’s consume around 14 billion drink containers[5], less than half of which are recycled[6]. ‘Cash for Containers’, which is currently operating in SA, is the only globally proven recycling scheme.

View the ads

NSW: http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/Global/australia/volunteer/Coke%20ad%20-%20Sydney.pdf

Victoria: http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/Global/australia/volunteer/Coke%20ad%20Melbourne.pdf

More information:

James Lorenz, Greenpeace Communications Manager, 0400 376 021 or James.lorenz@greenpeace.org

[1] The photo was taken by Dr Jennifer Lavers, a research fellow with Monash University specializing in plastics pollution and wildlife toxicology who has undertaken studies for 5 years on the Lord Howe Island. Her profile and published papers are available at: http://www.jenniferlavers.org/

[2] ‘Rising plastic menace choking sealife’, ABC Science, July 2012 http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/07/09/3540635.htm quoting Dr Jennifer Lavers, Institute for Marine and Antarctic studies at the University of Tasmania

[3] Coca Cola Amatil admits that it spent ‘a couple of hundred thousand dollars’ in the 2008 Northern Territory to run a campaign against those advocating for a cash for container scheme: Background Briefing, ‘Money For Empties’, 11 September 2011, transcript at http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/money-for-empties/3588236#transcript,

[4] ‘Can new laws or else, said soft drink giant: Govt’, NT News, February 23, 2011, http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/23/214061_ntnews.html

[5] Figures are calculated from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water (SCEW), www.scew.gov.au/strategic-priorities/packaging-impacts.html, pg 3. SCEW sites 19.9Billion rigid containers consumed p.a. taking into account additional products to drinks including shampoo and dishwashing liquids etc, which are not targeted by a CDS. 14 billion is an estimation which excludes non beverage containers from this figure.

[6] Hyder Consulting, Australian beverage packaging consumption, recovery and recycling quantification study, September 2008

New Rainbow Warrior tours Australia to save the Great Barrier Reef

jling — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:35:00 +0100

Thursday 28 February 2013: Over the next two months, Australia will host one of the world’s iconic ships, the new Rainbow Warrior. This extraordinary ship was funded entirely by donations from Australia and around the world. She will arrive in Melbourne on March 13 to begin a six-week tour of Australia.

“Her mission in Australia is as simple as it is desperate,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO, David Ritter. “She is here to draw attention to what is happening and to join the defence of our Great Barrier Reef. The Rainbow Warrior is here to support every Australian who is willing to get on board to save the Great Barrier Reef.”

“Ever since the first Greenpeace expedition set off in a ramshackle fishing vessel to stop US nuclear testing, we have relied on old refitted vessels,” said Greenpeace CEO David Ritter. “The new Rainbow Warrior is the exception. We built her from scratch so she is custom-designed to be one of the most eco-friendly and effective campaigning ships ever built.”

After hosting free open days at Melbourne’s Princes Pier on 16-17 March, the Rainbow Warrior will make port stops in Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Airlie Beach and Mackay.

“Proposals to expand Australia’s coal export industry will dramatically increase our contribution to climate change and irreversibly damage the Great Barrier Reef,” said Ritter.

“The Rainbow Warrior has always had community at the centre of her history and actions. The 60,000 Queenslanders who depend on the Reef for their livelihood will see that they have a strong ally in this beautiful ship.”

“This Rainbow Warrior tour is an opportunity for Australians to literally ‘get-on-board’ to save the Reef from coal. We’ll be visiting affected communities, documenting impacts of coal developments on the Reef and joining Australians to take action.”

For tour dates, visit: www.rainbowwarrior.com.au

For more information, contact:

Elsa Evers, Greenpeace Media and Communications Officer, 0438 204 041

For images and video, visit:

www.greenpeacemedia.org

Username: photos

Password: green

Coca Cola takes the Northern Territory Government to court for trying to improve recycling

aharris — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:28:00 +0100

TUESDAY 19th February, Sydney: Environment groups including Take 3, Greenpeace, Clean Up Australia, The Total Environment Centre and Two Hands Project held a court-side vigil at the Federal Court in Sydney this morning protesting Coca Cola’s legal challenge to the Northern Territory’s ‘Cash for Containers’ scheme.

“Today, we stand with the Northern Territory Government and the 80% of Australians who want a national recycling refund scheme.[1] To Australian Premiers and Environment Ministers, we say join with us and reject Coke’s bullying”, said David Ritter, Greenpeace’s Chief Executive Officer.

Since it started last year the Northern Territory scheme has reportedly seen 35 million containers recycled and recycling rates have already doubled.[2]

“The world’s oceans are awash with plastic which is having a devastating effect on wildlife. According to scientists from the CSIRO, a quarter of this pollution comes from the beverage industry led by Coca Cola”, said Tim Silverwood, co-founder of Take 3.[3]

“40% of the rubbish removed by volunteers on Clean Up Australia Day is bottles and cans, but in South Australia, where there is a refund system, they are just 10%”[4], said Ian Kiernan AO, founder of Clean Up Australia Day and former Australian of the year.

“Our volunteers are sick of cleaning up plastic from the environment and extracting it from birds, turtles and other animals, both alive and dead. Coca Cola, Schweppes and Lion need to clean up their act and support effective measures to keep their products out of the environment”, said Rochelle Ferris, General Manager, Australian Seabird Rescue.

“Some drinks producers like Fosters and Diageo have been getting on with the job of complying with the Northern Territory legislation and demonstrating corporate responsibility”, said Jeff Angel, “it’s time for Coca Cola to back off the bullying and clean up their act.”

"I spent a month at sea in the North Pacific, on average we spotted large pieces of plastic pollution every 3.6 minutes. Over the whole voyage I only spotted one piece of driftwood. We are creating a toxic ecosystem that simply should not exist", said Paul Sharp, founder of Two Hands

Contacts

Take 3, Tim Silverwood: 0420 668 114

Greenpeace, James Lorenz: 0400 376 021

Clean Up Australia, Terrie-Ann Johnson: 0408 269 233

Total Environment Centre, Jeff Angel: 0418 273 773

Rochelle Ferris, General Manager, Australian Seabird Rescue: 0400 078 055

Paul Sharp, Two Hands Project 0419041352

[1]  Newspoll July 2012 commissioned by the Boomerang Alliance. Available on request. 
[2]  Chief Minister Terry Mills reported in the NT News, February 14, 2013, ‘Cash for Cans Put on Hold’, http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/02/14/317605_ntnews.html  
[3]  Dr Britta Denise Hardesty, quoted in ABC TV’s Catalyst Program, September 2012, http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3583576.htm.  
[4]  http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/Whatelsewesupport/why-do-we-need-a-container-deposit-legislation-.html

‘Just for the waste of it!’

aharris — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 21:33:00 +0100

Greenpeace tells Coca-Cola to stop trashing Australia

Sydney, Monday 18th February 2013: This morning at Coca Cola Amatil’s Sydney head office, Greenpeace activists suspended a giant image of an albatross that had starved to death because its stomach was full of plastic waste, bearing the legend ‘brought to you by Coca Cola.’   

The action comes on the eve of the beverage giant taking the Northern Territory Government to the Federal Court in Sydney to try to force them to shut down a proven and effective 'cash for containers' recycling scheme that is supported by 80% of Australians. [1]   

“For Coca Cola to take a government to court over a great new recycling system that is overwhelmingly supported by Australians shows extraordinary corporate arrogance,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Reece Turner. “Each year Australians consume around 14 billion drink containers[2] and less than half of these are recycled[3]. This means more than 7 billion cans and bottles go into landfill and much ends up polluting our parks, beaches and oceans.”

  Clean Up Australia estimates that 45% of the rubbish collected every Clean Up Australia Day is beverage industry-related. The impact of unnecessary waste is particularly devastating for Australian marine birds. It has been estimated that up to 85%[4] are affected by plastic, either becoming entangled, or mistaking it for food. Many of the birds die as a result, literally starving on a full stomach.  

“For years Coca Cola has being lobbying and bullying governments[5] who have considered adopting South Australia’s successful recycling scheme. But this court action is a new low. It’s time for State and Federal politicians to say ‘no’ to Coke’s bully-boy tactics and side with the community and the environment,” said Turner.  

Cash for containers - also known as a container deposit scheme - is a simple solution. In South Australia and the NT, a 10 cent deposit gives people an incentive for returning containers for recycling. As easy as purchasing the drink, a 10 cent refund is included in the purchase price and returned when the container is brought back for recycling. There’s no extra cost for the consumer or the bottler and a national scheme would lead to thousands of new jobs in the recycling sector.  

In South Australia, 81% of bottles are recycled, around twice the rate of other states. The recycling industry supports 11,000 jobs in that State. According to Clean Up Australia, the community service sector would earn around $70 million a year to re-invest into local communities if the scheme was adopted nationally.   “It’s time for Coke to can it and clean up after themselves,” said Turner. 

For more information: James Lorenz, Greenpeace Communications Manager, 0400 376 021

[1] A Newspoll survey from July 2012 revealed that 80% of respondents were in favour of a national recycling refund system along the lines of South Australia.

[2] Calculated from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water (SCEW), www.scew.gov.au/strategic-priorities/packaging-impacts.html, pg 3.

[3] The national recycling rate for beverage containers is 47%, Hyder Consulting, Australian beverage packaging consumption, recovery and recycling quantification study, September 2008

[4] See comment from Dr Jennifer Lavers at http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/07/09/3540635.htm

[5] Background Briefing has interviewed West Australian MPs who allege the beverage industry, led by Coca Cola, lobbied against a system in WA. See: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/money-for-empties/3588236#transcript

Greenpeace escalates Reef campaign with Rainbow Warrior

jling — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:09:00 +0100

Wednesday 13 Feb, 2013, Brisbane: Greenpeace has announced it is stepping up its campaign against industrial development along the Great Barrier Reef coast with the new Rainbow Warrior touring Queensland for four weeks in April.

"Allowing shale oil is just the latest step in the Newman Government's sorry record of fast tracking dirty energy projects up and down the Reef coast, and the Federal Government is doing nothing to stop it," said Greenpeace's Queensland Campaigner Louise Matthiesson.

"We are stepping up our campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal port expansions and climate change by bringing the Rainbow Warrior to Queensland."

"Shale oil mining was halted in Queensland for very good reasons - shale oil is a highly polluting form of energy, and the industry has an appalling record of environmental and health problems" said Matthiesson.

The 60m long eco-vessel was purpose built for Greenpeace two years ago, and it carries the name of the original Rainbow Warrior which was sunk by French agents in New Zealand in 1985.

The schedule for the ship's tour is still being finalised, but it will visit several towns along the coast holding open days and putting the international spotlight on proposed coal port developments near Bowen, Mackay, Yeppoon and Gladstone.

Photos of the Rainbow Warrior are available for media use.

Username: photos
Password: green

For comment contact: Louise Matthiesson 0406 041 428.

Greenpeace steps up campaign to save Great Barrier Reef

aharris — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:36:00 +0100

Friday 1 Feb, 2013, Brisbane: Greenpeace will step up its campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef following the failure of the Australian Government to halt coal developments in its response to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee today.

Environment Minister Tony Burke fell short of community hopes today when he admitted on Radio National Breakfast that the Australian Government approved a coal terminal in a place where his own Department claims that: “The vast extent of the reef and island systems produces an unparalleled aerial vista.”[1]

“The Australian Government has defied most of UNESCO recommendations, and there’s no commitment that he won’t approve more coal terminals or dredging that threatens dugongs, turtles, fish and other marine life,” said Greenpeace Climate Change campaigner Georgina Woods.

“Tony Burke has already approved a new coal terminal and allowed various new developments into the approval process. The Reef needs action, not promises. Until Tony Burke says "no" to all of the coal terminals proposed for the Great Barrier Reef coast, his assurances are meaningless.”

Demonstrations opposing new coal terminals in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area are planned at ministerial offices around the country today.

“If the Government will not take action to protect the Reef, the Australian community must.”
“We have stopped plans to drill for oil on the Great Barrier Reef in the past. Now we must escalate the pressure and again say no. We must make it clear as a nation that some things are not for sale at any price,” said Woods.

For more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor, Elsa Evers: 0438 204 041

Great Barrier Reef protection to be key election issue

aharris — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:02:00 +0100

Thursday 31 January, 2013, Brisbane: Unless the Australian Government tomorrow announces an end to coal expansion to along the Queensland coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is at risk of being placed on the World Heritage ‘in danger’ list, says Greenpeace.

“The protection of the Great Barrier Reef will be a key election issue: the potential “in danger” listing will come just three months before the Federal poll. The actions of the Federal Government ahead of that deadline may determine whether the Reef is listed as “in danger” and that will be a terrible legacy for this Government so close to a federal election,” said Greenpeace climate campaigner Georgina Woods.

Demonstrations against new coal terminals being built in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area are already planned in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Mackay, Yeppoon and Townsville.

In June 2012, UNESCO requested the Australian Government “not permit development that would impact on the outstanding universal value” of the Great Barrier Reef. Despite the recommendation, Environment Minister Tony Burke went on to approve a 60 million tonne coal terminal at Abbot Point on the Great Barrier Reef coast in October 2012. Australia’s report back to UNESCO will form the basis of the World Heritage Committee’s consideration, in June, about whether to list the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage site “in danger”.

“The next 24 hours will show whether the Australian Government has any respect for the World Heritage area.”

“Even leaving aside the climate impacts of the increased coal exports, the dredging and dumping for this and other coal terminals alone will irreversibly affect the Reef. Coal port plans are causing major concern for local fishermen and tourism businesses that depend on the Reef,” said Georgina Woods.
“Greenpeace is calling on the Environment Minister to revoke his approval of the T3 coal terminal at Abbot Point, and stop all further coal terminals being built on the Great Barrier Reef, to give it its best chance of surviving,” said Woods.

“Only then will Australians be convinced the Australian Government is serious about saving the Reef for years to come.”

For more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor, Elsa Evers: 0438 204 041

New report ranks Australia’s coal expansion as the world’s second largest fossil fuel threat to climate stability

jling — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Sydney/Davos, January 23, 2012 — A new global study has named Australia’s export coal proposals as the world’s second largest fossil fuel expansion, threatening to lock in worst-case projections of global warming.

The 14 carbon intensive projects highlighted in ‘Point of No Return’ from Greenpeace International range from massive coal expansion in Australia, China, the US and Indonesia, to oil expansion in the tar sands of Canada, the Arctic and Brazil, to new gas production in the Caspian Sea and the US.

Groundbreaking analysis by consultancy Ecofys for the report shows by 2020 these 14 projects will increase carbon dioxide (CO₂)emissions by six gigatonnes a year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says despite years of government promises to reduce emissions, CO₂ emissions are already at a record high of 31.6 gigatonnes.

The Ecofys modeling found that the yearly CO₂ emissions from these projects will be higher than the total US emissions and will lock in catastrophic global warming.

“The same Australian Government warning us that recent deadly heat waves are a sign of things to come is also presiding over a globally significant expansion of coal exports, the resource which is driving climate change,” said Greenpeace CEO David Ritter. “We are willfully sabotaging our own future.”

In a one-page advert in Australia’s national media on 14 January, eminent scientists and academics joined the call to end Australia’s coal export expansion, in order to ‘prevent global warming running out-of-control and destroying lives and livelihoods here and abroad.’

Even the World Economic Forum, in its Global Risks 2013 report for this year’s gathering in Davos, warns that we are on course for the global temperature to increase by 3.6 to 4⁰C, possibly by 6 degrees. These increases will be well above the promise of governments to keep global warming to below a 2⁰ increase.

“Given the human suffering, destruction and economic turmoil of recent extreme weather events, a world with runaway climate change is a frightening prospect. We cannot let that be our legacy,” said Kumi Naidoo, executive director of Greenpeace International, who is meeting key business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

The report features an Ecofys pathway showing a 75% chance of avoiding climate chaos if emissions peak soon and then drop by 5% a year and emissions from the 14 projects are cancelled. Greenpeace’s Energy [R]evolution shows that renewable energy and energy savings can deliver the energy our economies need.

“We are running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change,” said Naidoo. “The companies promoting and the governments allowing these massive climate threats must replace them with renewable energy right away and become part of the solution to climate chaos.”

For more information: James Lorenz, Greenpeace Communications Manager, 0400 376 021

NOTES

Point of No Return report: http://bit.ly/point_of_no_return

Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution: www.greenpeace.org/energyrevolution

Full page ad calling for an end to coal exports

It’s time to talk about coal

jling — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 21:31:00 +0100

Sydney, Monday 14th January, 2013: Today, academics, scientists, prominent Australians and community groups placed a full-page ad in The Australian Financial Review calling for an end to Australia’s coal export expansion and an honest national discussion about the role it plays in driving climate change.

Signatories include Dr Carmen Lawrence, Professor Robert Manne, climate scientists Professor David Karoly and Professor Matthew England and numerous non-governmental organisations.

The Climate Commission issued a report over the weekend that confirmed: “Climate change has contributed to making the current extreme heat conditions and bushfires worse."

Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Bureau of Meteorology, the CSIRO and the Prime Minister, the signatories underscore the relationship between extreme weather and climate change and argue Australia faces a choice to either, ‘cease expansion of coal exports or wilfully threaten our children’s future.’

“As the Prime Minister reminded everyone last week, ‘…we do know that over time as a result of climate change we are going to see more extreme weather events’. We agree,” said Dr. Georgina Woods, Greenpeace Climate Campaigner.

Currently, coal exports are Australia‘s biggest contribution to climate change. The proposed development of vast new mines means this contribution could double in the next decade – the critical decade in which coal use and greenhouse emissions must be dramatically reduced.

“As the next wave of heat pulses across the continent, our thoughts are with all those families and communities fighting to protect the people and places we love. But we are doing neither them, nor future generations, any service by continuing to ignore the contribution our coal exports make to climate change.”

“The latest heatwave is yet another wake-up call. It’s time we got serious about protecting our beautiful country and stop the expansion of export coal,” concluded Dr. Woods.

The full page ad can be found http://bit.ly/lets_talk_about_coal

The ad was paid for and organised by Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

For further comment contact:

Greenpeace campaigner Georgina Woods: 0437 405 932

Greenpeace media officer Julie Macken: 0400 925 217

Shell oil rig grounding highlights risk of Arctic drilling: Greenpeace

eevers — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 03:05:00 +0100

Washington DC, January 7th, 2013 – Greenpeace is monitoring Shell’s stranded oil rig after it ran aground and suffered serious damage in the Gulf of Alaska.

The Kulluk ran aground late on December 31st off the island of Sitkalidak after repeatedly breaking its towing lines in heavy seas and storm-force winds. Media reports suggest that Shell was rushing the rig out of Alaska to avoid a US$6m local property tax which would have been imposed on January 1st.

Reacting to the news, Greenpeace USA Deputy Campaigns Director Dan Howells said:

“Shell’s US$4.5bn Arctic gamble is looking like a serious mistake, and should act as a warning to other companies looking to drill in this incredibly hostile environment.”

“Oil companies cannot operate safely in the pristine Arctic, where both the risks and the impacts of any industrial accident are too great to bear.”

Greenpeace has sent several rapid response teams to Alaska to monitor the situation.

Shell officials have revealed that the Kulluk suffered serious damage. Emergency and regular generators have been damaged, while sea water has seeped into the rig itself after waves pounded the ageing drill rig.

The Kulluk ran aground near the Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge, where any spill would have terrible impacts on local wildlife. The area is home to at least two endangered species, as well as harbor seals, salmon and sea lions.

Over two million people, including tens of thousands of Australians, have already joined the Greenpeace campaign to protect the Arctic from destructive industry.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

There are approximately 143,000 gallons of diesel and 12,000 gallons of hydraulic oil on board the Kulluk, an aging drill rig built in 1983. Weighing almost 28,000 tonnes, the rig had been due for scrapping before Shell bought it in 2005 and the company has since spent $292 million to upgrade the vessel.

The Kulluk incident is the latest in a series of blunders that Shell has committed in relation to its Arctic drilling program:

In July: Shell admits that it can’t meet US government air pollution targets for its Arctic drilling fleet, and asks for an exemption. (more).

Also in July, Shell’s other drilling vessel Noble Discoverer slips anchor and runs aground in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (more).

In August: the Arctic Challenger, a barge built by Shell to contain oil spilled during any accidents in the Arctic, is cited by Federal authorities for four illegal discharges of hydraulic fluid during preparation work for the summer drilling season. More here.

In November the Noble Discoverer engine catches fire in the port of Dutch Harbour, Alaska - more here.

In early December FOIAs reveal that Shell’s sub-sea capping stack was “crushed like a beer can” during testing - more here.

For interviews, images or more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

Travis Nichols, GPUS media officer travis.nichols@greenpeace.org / +1 (206) 802-8498

Images are available here.

Coles changes its tuna

aharris — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:13:00 +0100

Wednesday 12 December 2012, Sydney: Greenpeace’s Australian canned tuna campaign has netted another win for the oceans - supermarket giant Coles has pledged to ban destructive fish aggregation devices (FADs) which indiscriminately kills sharks, rays, baby tuna and endangered turtles.

“If sharks celebrated Christmas, this is the present they’d be asking Santa for,” said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.

Coles will follow the lead of John West, which last week announced a phase-out destructive fishing methods by 2015 in response to a six week targeted consumer campaign.

According to their statement, “by 2015, Coles will end the sourcing of tuna from unsustainable methods such as the use of FADs in purse seine tuna fisheries and only sell tuna caught using environmentally responsible methods such as pole & line and free school, and unassociated purse seine fishing.”

“The majority of Australian canned tuna companies, including John West, Greenseas, Sirena, Safcol and Coles, have all now committed to responsible fishing methods,” said Pelle. “That leaves Woolworths as the only big brand still hooked on destructive fishing. Smaller brands Aldi and IGA are also yet to budge.”

The shift in the Australian tuna market comes a week after foreign fishing nations failed to protect the world’s largest tuna fishery at the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting in Manila.

“Politics once again failed our oceans at the Pacific tuna commission, with greedy fishing powers such as Taiwan, the EU and China refusing to reduce their plunder of Pacific resources. Meanwhile, consumers are leading the charge and making real change in the ocean by voting with their wallet,” said Pelle.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a complete ban on FADs and the creation of marine reserves in international waters to protect Pacific tuna.

Link to the new Coles tuna fishing policy: https://www.coles.com.au/About-Coles/Environment/Seafood-Sustainability.aspx

Greenpeace Canned Tuna Guide: http://www.greenpeace.org.au/tuna

For more information, contact:

Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For images, go to:

www.greenpeacemedia.org

Username: photos

Password: green

John West cans destructive fishing

jling — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:41:00 +0100

3 December, 2012, Sydney: Just six weeks after the launch of Greenpeace’s ‘Reject John West’ campaign, John West has pledged to stop using destructive fishing methods that needlessly kill sharks, rays, baby tuna and turtles.

This is another major victory for our oceans following the banning of the super trawler earlier this year.

“This year has shown that Australia is an ocean-loving nation and we’re prepared to fight for its protection. It was people power that stopped the super trawler fishing Australian waters, and it was consumer pressure that got John West to stop its destructive fishing,” said Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle.

“In six weeks 20,000 Australians demanded John West respect fisheries science and change their tuna,” said Pelle. “This is a win for consumers and a win for the oceans. It shows that when Australians take action together, we can bring about real change.”

Greenpeace launched a nation-wide campaign in late October targeting John West’s use of destructive Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) with purse seine nets. This fishing method needlessly kills hundreds of thousands of tonnes of juvenile tunas, sharks, rays, and critically endangered sea turtles every year.

In a statement released earlier today, John West committed to a complete ban on the use of FADs to fish for its tuna by 2015. John West has also committed not to source tuna from the Pacific Commons that Pacific Island Nations want protected from fishing.

John West joins major Australian brands Greenseas, Safcol and Sirena in their commitment to responsible fishing methods. Greenpeace’s global tuna campaign has seen all brands and retailers in the UK, and Safeway in the US rule out the use of FADs. Coles and Woolworths are now the only two major companies on the Australian market not to have committed to sustainable fishing.

The announcement comes just as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meets in the Philippines to discuss extensive FAD bans and other measures to protect the world’s largest tuna fishery.

The new John West fishing policy: http://johnwest.com.au/john-west-confirms-its-commitment-to-sustainable-tuna
Slideshow of the ‘Reject John West’ campaign: http://bit.ly/QZuL77
Find out how other canned tuna brands stack up on sustainability: http://www.changeyourtuna.org

For interviews or more info, contact: Greenpeace Media Advisor Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041, elsa.evers@greenpeace.org