At this moment, Greenpeace campaigners are working tirelessly around the globe, monitoring governments and industry, researching solutions, blocking dangerous practices, doing whatever it takes to protect our planet’s life-giving resources.
In order to fulfill our mandate in Canada and around the world, Greenpeace works on the following environmental campaigns:
For too long, marine life has been largely open for the taking by anyone possessing the means to exploit it. Rapid advances in technology have meant that the ability, reach and power of vessels and equipment used to harvest marine life now far outweigh nature's ability to maintain it. This already has far reaching consequences for the marine environment, its species and the people who depend on it.
Tar sands projects threaten ecosystems over a huge area of Alberta; polluting and depleting waterways, endangering the health of wildlife and local communities, and contributing to climate change.
Your help has never been more important. Governments have been warned about the potentially catastrophic consequences if climate change is ignored. But Canada's government is still not listening. Instead, it is trying to block international action and delay implementing effective policy solutions at home.
Greenpeace has always fought - and will continue to fight - vigorously against nuclear power because it is an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity. The only solution is to halt the expansion of all nuclear power, to shutdown existing plants.
More than 80 percent of the world's ancient forests have been destroyed, and the forests that remain are under threat from logging. Greenpeace is working tirelessly to stop the destruction of the world'sremaining temperate rainforests and is committed to developing sustainable solutions in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.
The boreal forest is Canada's largest ecosystem, is home to many threatened animal species and plays an important role in moderating climate change. But the boreal is being cut at an astounding rate, mainly for products that have alternative sources. Greenpeace has launched a campaign to help preserve the boreal forest.
Climate change, caused by the burning of oil, coal and gas, threatens to devastate everything from food and water supply to the pattern of human settlement. Our efforts include working to phase out fossil fuels while pointing the way to clean energy solutions that do not damage the climate, such as solar and wind power.
Over 70 per cent of products on supermarket shelves in Canada are made with genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. These experimental ingredients could cause irreversible biological pollution and pose unknown risks to human health. Greenpeace is working to stop the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment and support sustainable, organic agriculture.
International campaigns
Industries continue to contaminate our air, water and food with dangerous toxics linked to cancers, reproductive disorders and impaired mental development. Greenpeace is working to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and to convince consumers to reject the most common and toxic of plastics: polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Greenpeace is working to protect the world’s whale populations and to end the destructive over-fishing currently threatening the entire ocean ecosystem.
Since we first formed in 1971, Greenpeace has been working to stop the production, transport and trade of plutonium and to ensure that the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty enters into force. In order to prevent a new arms race, we also oppose the
US National Missile Defense System.
Beyond Canada and around the world, ancient forests are in crisis. Many of the plants and animals that live in these forests face extinction. And many of the people and cultures who depend on these forests for their way of life are also under threat. But the news is not all bad. Greenpeace remains committed to protecting these forests and the life they support.
Trade agreements are emerging as key factors in the fight for global environmental stability and security. Greenpeace has been working on trade issues for years, pressuring the World Trade Organization (WTO) to adopt more open processes, respect the precautionary principle, honour domestic and international environmental regulations and factor environmental impacts into their decision making process. Greenpeace sent the Rainbow Warrior to the World Trade Organization meeting in Qatar in 2001l to broadcast internet radio updates, give activists access to the meeting and report to the world on relevant issues and decisions.
