The support members provide to Greenpeace allow us to operate on several levels – some very public, some behind the scenes:

Communications

Greenpeace works hard to inform its members and the public about threats to our planet. We are in regular contact with the media and our members through press releases, magazines, electronic newsletters and our website. Action alerts are sent by email when the public can help achieve a significant victory.

Direct Action

Direct action can take many forms – climbing the CN Tower in Toronto, a zodiac confronting a whaling ship on the high seas, activists blocking shipments of plutonium, or chaining themselves to old-growth trees. Greenpeace has a long tradition of combining direct action with research to achieve important victories and draw the world’s attention to the major issues of the day.

Markets

Sometimes, Greenpeace takes its campaigns directly to corporations’ customers and shareholders, putting pressure on companies to change harmful practices. Some of our corporate targets have included Shell, Monsanto, MacMillan Bloedel, Suncor, Coca-Cola, Esso and Kimberly-Clark.

The Fleet

Greenpeace maintains a fleet of three ships used to monitor international agreements, protest environmental degradation and to prevent the destruction of marine life and resources. In addition to the ships, Greenpeace has three river sailing vessels, a helicopter, a Cessna plane, and a hot air balloon.

Political Lobbying

Representatives from Greenpeace attend virtually every international environmental convention in the world and regional offices meet frequently with governments to lobby on issues of environmental policy. Greenpeace also has consultative status to the United Nations.

Public Education and Engagement

Public education is an important element of Greenpeace’s mandate. We hold teach-ins, circulate petitions, and engage the public in environmental campaigns on the street, on the internet, over the phone and through the mail.

Scientific Research

The Greenpeace Research Laboratories form the Science Unit of Greenpeace International. Based at the University of Exeter in the UK, the laboratories provide scientific advice and analytical support to Greenpeace offices worldwide, on a range of disciplines including toxicology, organic and inorganic analytical chemistry, biochemistry and terrestrial and marine ecology. In addition, Greenpeace frequently commissions independent scientific research for various campaigns.

Technology

Greenfreeze is an ozone-friendly refrigeration technology developed by Greenpeace in 1992 to challenge an industry that said it couldn’t be done. It has gone on to dominate the European refrigeration industry and won a United Nations award for protecting the ozone layer. There are nearly 150 million Greenfreeze refrigerators in the world today. Greenpeace has been promoting the use of alternative energy sources for decades, often working regionally to implement sustainable energy production.