Greenpeace East Asia - Photos

Outing Dongwon: the big ocean bully

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Greenpeace activists protest in Port Louis, Mauritius, painting "illegal" in Korean and English on the hull of the FV Premier, owned by South Korea's largest tuna company, Dongwon Industries. The South Korean vessel is accused of illegal fishing in African waters. The Greenpeace ship Esperanza is on patrol documenting fishing activities in the Indian Ocean.

The children of South Korea's resounding "NO" to nuclear

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 12 May 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Children from the village of Samcheok join their parents and other activists to rally in opposition to a planned nuclear power plant in their community, 192km from Seoul. Millions of Koreans who live within the 30 kilometer radius of nuclear power plants are at risk from a nuclear accident. Last year alone, the country faced malfunctions at 16 nuclear plants.

A husband, wife and their 10 year struggle on behalf of a community

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Activist Dongying Wei and her husband Guantong Shao have been investigating environmental pollution for over a decade. They have reported their findings to the government officials and more than one thousand villagers have signed up to show their support. Despite their efforts, nothing has changed and wastewater discharges from various industries continue to pollute their land and rivers. Wuli Village, Nanyang Town, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City.

Taiwan: Giving their love to the polar bears

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Greenpeace activists from Taiwan dressed in polar bear suits demand that political leaders protect the pristine Arctic environment. Joining Arctic actions around the world, volunteers came out in force in order to support protection of the Arctic from activities that put the fragile environment at risk, such as oil drilling and industrial fishing.

The people of Taiwan love the Arctic!

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0200

100 volunteers create a human banner in front of the Tuntex Skytower in Taiwan. They joined more than 10,000 volunteers from around the world that came together to form human banners which spell out ‘I Love Arctic’ in over 280 cities. Our activists are demanding that political leaders protect the pristine Arctic environment. A book, containing hundreds of images taken at the events will be hand-delivered to Arctic foreign ministers convening at a Arctic Council meeting in Kiruna, Sweden, in May 2013.

Bad neighbor: Yingfeng Chemical Plant in Sichuan

Liu Feiyue / Greenpeace — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Vegetables grow nearby Yingfeng Chemical Plant. Shifang City, Sichuan Province. Greenpeace has investigated the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer in Sichuan. Chemical fertilizers play an integral role in industrial agriculture and food production. However, its manufacture has proven to be highly polluting, contributing to wide-spread environmental contamination and causing distress for local communities living in the vicinity of the production facilities.

Panda habitats in Sichuan threatened by Chinese mining companies

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0200

A report has found that phosphate mining in Longmen Mountain, Sichuan greatly exacerbates the risk of landslides and other geological disasters, threatening the safety of miners and residents downstream. In addition, phosphate mining has encroached on the region's nature reserve, impacting a native giant panda population.

Refusing to take environmental pollution lying down

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0200

This man is one of three members of a local community in Sichuan that are using excavators to try and move piles of industrial waste that have been contaminating their village for years. Fed up with being ignored by the polluters Lomon Group, a Chinese fertilizer company, these citizens decided to take matters into their own hands. They expect it will take decades to move such a large amount of hazardous waste.

China: It's time to save the world's greatest forests

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0200

The three largest remaining rainforests of the world are the Amazon, the Congo and the rainforests of Indonesia; all are under siege. The main drivers of deforestation are different in each. But what they have in common is an increasing focus on China as the main export destination. But Chinese companies and the government can clean up their act. They do not have to participate in deforestation.

Toxic fertilizer byproduct: too close for comfort

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:00:00 +0200

Pictured directly behind this duck farm is the Jinhe Phosphate Chemical Plant. Investigations made by Greenpeace East Asia have exposed the dumping of massive amounts of hazardous waste in the Southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan. The stacks of phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, were found much closer to residential areas than the minimum required distances set forth by Chinese regulations on hazardous waste storage.

Manufacture of phosphate fertilizers in Sichuan, China

ayallop — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0200

Greenpeace is currently investigating the manufacture of phosphate fertiliser in Sichuan, China. Chemical fertilizers play an integral role in industrial agriculture and food production. However, its manufacture have proven to be highly polluting, which contributes to wide-spread environmental contamination and causes distress for local communities living in the vicinity of the production facilities.

The village activist going up against China's polluters

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0200

Dongying Wei witnesses pollution from a chemical plant. Dongying Wei and her husband Guantong Shao have been investigating environmental pollution for over a decade. They have reported their findings to the government officials and more than one thousand villagers have signed up to show their support. Despite this, nothing has changed. Wuli Village, Nanyang Town, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City.

The young folks of Seoul want a nuclear-free future

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0100

Hundreds of people from Seoul and Samcheok residents, an area earmarked for nuclear plant construction, march to mark the second anniversary of the Fukushima disaster and to call for nuclear energy to be phased out in South Korea. The Korean government intends to build and export more nuclear power plants despite strong public opposition.

The people of Seoul say "no" to nuclear

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:30:00 +0100

Greenpeace activists together with hundreds of people march in Seoul to mark the second anniversary of the Fukushima disaster and to call for nuclear energy to be phased out in South Korea. The Korean government intends to build and export more nuclear power plants despite strong public opposition.

Ban all FADs, and ban them now!

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0100

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -- Martin Luther King. Our oceans need defending. The use of fish aggregating devices (FAD) in destructive purse seine fishing is destroying the health of the oceans and Greenpeace is calling for a full ban on FADs. This image taken from last year's East Asian Ocean Defender's Tour.

A woman grieves for her departed husband

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:27:00 +0100

Su Yunxia mourns for her recently departed husband and father of their baby boy. The father Zhang Qiaoliang, 25 years old, died of throat cancer just before the birth of his child. The cluster of paper and chemical factories about 15km upstream is discharging polluted waste water into the stream used by the village in Henan where Su Yunxia and her baby live. To protect the health of the local population and the environment Greenpeace called for zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

The floating cancer village: Jiangsu

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:00:00 +0100

Fifty families of fishermen live in Yanglingang village, in Jiangsu province. They fish for their livelihood and have drunken water from the Yangtze for decades. In the last few years, however, the river has been significantly polluted, and the fishermen noticed that the water has a strange flavor. Since 2003, factory construction has erupted all around Yanglingang. Today the little fishing village is surrounded by power plants, paper-making factories, and chemical plants. Greenpeace together with photographer Lu Guang documented the life and death of this community living "under the pipe".

Chinese cancer victim in polluted Shaoxing

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:30:00 +0100

Cao Yungen from Sanjiang village is 62 years old and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009. The nearby East China Sea is reported as being polluted with persistent toxic chemicals, the major source of which is industrial discharge. The situation prompted Greenpeace to investigate potential sources of pollution of hazardous chemicals in Hangzhou Bay.

Pollution, sickness and death in a village of Henan

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:00:00 +0100

Chinese people living in Zhangyuzhuang village in Henan Province, suffer serious illnesses as a result of toxic waste water from the local industry. The cluster of paper and chemical factories about 15km upstream is discharging polluted waste water into the stream used by the villagers. To protect the health of the local population and the environment Greenpeace is calling for zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

Open-pit coal mining in Inner Mongolia

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:17:00 +0100

In this post-apocalyptic image we can see extensive open-pit coal mining in Inner Mongolia and its devastating impacts on the grassland used once for cattle and sheep.

Death sentences placed on Yunnan's precious native forest

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:30:00 +0100

Using remote sensing, spatial analysis and field surveys, Greenpeace has found relatively intact native forest accounts for only 9% of the forest cover in Yunnan. Loopholes in the implementation of government policy has meant these precious tracts of native forest are being converted into plantations, and poses a serious threat to the local ecological environment.

Lu Guang: eyewitness to a changing China

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:00:00 +0100

In the Greenpeace tradition of bearing witness, Lu Guang's photographs bring an environmental and human tragedy to the world's attention and ensure that we cannot forget. He often goes where others dare not - into the depths of environmental destruction in China's ravaged countryside and industrial zones to capture a drastically changing nation. In 2011 Lu was given a World Press Photo award for a series of photographs shot for Greenpeace East Asia's coverage of the Dalian Oil Spill.

A life spent on the water

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Hu Zhenlai has lived on the water all her life. At the end of the ‘80s, she moved with her family from the Hongze Lake in Jiangsu province to catch fish on the Yangtze river. Now her son has followed his father’s footsteps and became a fisherman. But the number of fish in the Yangtze is declining, in part due to water pollution. This spring, only two out of Yanglingang’s six large boats have made a profit catching saury. Those who rely primarily on fishing are all living in impoverished conditions, with only their boats and no houses on land. Hu Zhenlai spends her days on the boat taking care of her grandson, who attends school.

A room with a (horrible) view

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:30:00 +0100

Herders look through a window as trucks pour tip sand produced by the coal mines onto the grassland and encroaching onto their land with cattle. Extensive open-pit coal mining in Inner Mongolia has had devastating impacts on the grassland used once for cattle and sheep.

Tourists in Taiwan enjoying the ocean

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Tourists are seen at the main holiday site of 'Flower Vase' rock in Xiao Liu Qiu, Taiwan. Taken as part of the East Asian Ocean Defender's Tour which covers Palau's waters as well as the Pacific commons, where Greenpeace is calling for a marine reserve.

From ocean to market: documenting the death of fish

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

The Greenpeace ship Esperanza recently toured South Korea to highlight the problems of overfishing and raise awareness of the South Korean government's plans to resume whaling for what it calls 'scientific research.' After Korea the ship headed to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Palau in The Pacific. Here we chart the death - rather than the life - of a fish, from ocean to market, to tuna can.

Move over Britney, this is true 'Toxic Glamour'

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

A series of arresting images have been produced to highlight the toxic truth that lies behind the glamour of the fashion industry. Shot on location in the heart of China’s textile industry, on the bank of Qiantang River, in Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou, the images show the scale of the toxic water pollution that currently occurs in order to supply a global market, (that includes a number of international clothing labels), with its fast fashion fix. The shoot forms part of the global Detox campaign which is calling upon brands to take responsibility for their supply chains and to take urgent and transparent action to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from their production and products.

Chicheng wind farm in Hebei Province

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:30:00 +0100

The latest Greenpeace report 'Point of no return: The massive climate threats we must avoid' shows government hypocrisy on major energy projects is fueling climate change and placing populations at risk. The report reveals the alarming threat posed by a planned massive global increase in emissions from coal, oil and gas projects. Renewable energy is a critical part of reversing climate change.

Will the future always look this bleak for Beijing's children?

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Beijing made news headlines around the world last week due to recent, shocking air pollution levels. While China will walk a long, hard road before it reaches the land of crisp, clean, blue skies, our campaigner Zhou Rong is cautiously optimistic about the future. "Particularly on information disclosure, we've seen in recent times the public, media and NGOs come together to demand transparency, which has really triggered a big change. But we've also noticed that when it comes to the real health impacts of air pollution, the Chinese public has very limited knowledge. Only once there's real understanding of how harmful air pollution is, can concern turn into pressure and momentum to make real change."

Tuna mascots at Korean embassy in Manila

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Greenpeace activists dressed as 'Tuna Mascots' visit the Korean Embassy, seeking the country's support for tuna conservation at global summit on Pacific Tuna Fisheries. The activists hold banners reading "Korea help end overfishing". Greenpeace is calling for marine reserves to be established in four high seas pockets known as the Pacific Commons and to be declared off-limits to fishing.

Just another smoggy day in Beijing

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

There are millions of people in living in Beijing who for many days of the year must step out their door and suffer the heavy blanket of smog enveloping the city. In 2013 records were broken when PM2.5 readings surged to 886 µg/m3, far beyond the level deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization, which is a 25 µg/m3 mean over a 24 hour period.

Find out more about what we're doing to solve China's air pollution crisis.

Taiwan's fearless oceans defender Yu Fen Kao

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:30:00 +0100

Greenpeace Taiwan oceans campaigner Yu Fen Kao is seen at Dong Gang Wholesale fish market, Dong Gang, Kaohsiung. Taken during last year's Esperanza ship tour, the tour was designed to highlight the problems of overfishing and raise awareness around ocean protection in the East Asia and Pacific Ocean region.

Ban the FAD Banner in Palau

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0100

Greenpeace activists hold a banner under an illegally deployed fish aggregating device (FAD) in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Palau. Two FADs were confiscated by Greenpeace in conjunction with law enforcement officers from the Government of Palau. Greenpeace was on a joint surveillance operation with the Government of Palau, patrolling the Western and Central Pacific Ocean where 60% of the world's tuna comes from. The use of FADs in destructive purse seine fishing is destroying the health of the oceans.

The green energy giants powering China

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:01:00 +0100

China is the world’s leader in installed wind power capacity. After years of development in the country’s north, northeastern and northwestern areas, wind power is spreading across China. Greenpeace's annual industry analysis "China Wind Power Outlook" predicts that China’s installed wind power capacity will be between 200 and 300 GW by 2020 and over 400 GW by 2030. And that by 2030, wind power will make up about 8.4% of China’s total electricity generation, and 15% of China’s installed capacity. It estimates that in 2011 China’s wind energy sector generated 71.5 billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to the annual electricity demand of over 47 million households.

A migrant worker's cottage in Shaoxing

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:30:00 +0100

Migrant workers live in farmer's cottages within the Binhai Industrial Zone. They pay about 200 RMB per month rent for each room. The area specialises in textile and dyeing and suffers ongoing pollution associated with the textile manufacturing industry.

The dying victims of China's industrial water pollution

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 19:00:00 +0100

The area in which these photos were taken, Hangzhou Bay, is one of the most polluted coastal areas in China. Recent investigations by Greenpeace exposed the links between textile manufacturing facilities using toxic chemicals and water pollution, with some tested articles turning up cancer-causing amines from the use of certain azo dyes.

Chinese worker mixing dye in Shaoxing

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:30:00 +0100

A worker mixes dye in a factory in the Binhai Industrial Zone. He only wears a simplified gas mask. Shaoxing County, in Zhejiang Province, is reported to have more than 9,000 textile mills and 30% of China's dyeing and printing capacity. The textile industry is an outstanding source of pollution in coastal Zhejiang Province which assumes more than a third of China's dying and printing capacity and houses suppliers of global fashion brands such as Calvin Klein.

Fashion disgrace: scenes of pollution in China's textiles region

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:00:00 +0100

The Qiantang River is the biggest river in Zhejiang Province, and flows into Hangzhou Bay, and ultimately the East China Sea. According to a recent report on China’s oceans, Hangzhou Bay is one of the most polluted coastal areas in China. The East China Sea is reported as being polluted with persistent toxic chemicals, the major source of which is industrial discharge. The situation prompted Greenpeace to investigate potential sources of pollution of hazardous chemicals in Hangzhou Bay.

Levi's have gone forth to Detox

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:00:00 +0100

View through a stencil used to write the word "Detox" on the window of a Levi's store in central Taipei. The activists demanded that Levi's eliminate the use of all hazardous chemicals throughout its supply chain. Last week the fashion brand announced they would be joining the Detox commitment.

Levi's: now is your time to detox

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:30:00 +0100

A model, dressed in Levi’s clothing, exposes the Detox logo on her arm in a call for the world’s largest producer of jeans to make fashion without pollution. Greenpeace investigations have revealed hazardous chemicals in a number of Levi’s clothing items, as well as links between the brand and suppliers in Mexico that are releasing hazardous chemicals into local water supplies. The Detox logo (and tattoo on the model’s arm) is also the Chinese character for water, and forms part of the creative material used in the global campaign calling on major fashion brands, like Levi’s, to make credible and ambitious commitments to clean up their supply chain and products.

Beware! You're probably a fashion victim

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:30:00 +0100

To accompany the launch of the Report "Toxic Threads: The Big Fashion Stitch Up" a series of images have been produced, built around the concept of "Fashion victims". The images visualise how big brands are forcing consumers to buy clothes that contain hazardous chemicals and that contribute toward toxic water pollution both when they are made, and when they are washed.

Fashion mannequins revolt on a 'Detox' day of action

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:00:00 +0100

700 activists in over 80 cities around the world, including Taipei, Hong Kong and Beijing, make their voice heard and demand that the world’s largest fashion retailer, Zara, eliminate all hazardous chemical from its clothing and supply chains. Through street theatre Greenpeace demand Zara to Detox now.

Don't become a fashion victim

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:30:00 +0100

Greenpeace organises a ‘fashion show’ on a makeshift runway, during the launch of the report, “Toxic Threads: The Big Fashion Stitch-Up.” Investigations found hazardous chemicals in clothing from 20 leading fashion brands, that contribute toward toxic water pollution both when they are made, and when they are washed.

There's no future in overfishing

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Two Greenpeace activists carry a banner reading "There's no future in over-fishing" in the hold of the ship 'Heng Xing 1'. The Cambodian flagged vessel was found in an area of international waters near the exclusive economic zone of Indonesia, illegally transhipping frozen tuna from a Philippine fishing vessel and two other Indonesian vessels in the Pacific high seas, where none of the ships have licenses to operate.

A South Korean family stands united against nuclear

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:30:00 +0100

Greenpeace in South Korea are telling the stories of ordinary citizens that are firmly against nuclear energy in the country. Pictured is Mr Gimjungha , a cattle farmer who along with his wife have one son and three daughters. His youngest daughter is only 9 years old and he says "even she understands the risks of nuclear power," so why don't the government?

Hong Kong's newest generation of ocean activists: cute and caring!

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0100

The Esperanza's recent tour of Hong Kong saw visits by the city's newest generation of ocean defenders! Kids and parents alike boarded the iconic Greenpeace ship to learn about the dangers of overfishing and what they can do to help conserve ocean life. Only by caring about our underwater friends now, can our children and children of the future hope to likewise enjoy the incredibly diversity of the sea.

Shock horror at Hong Kong's use of air conditioning

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:00:00 +0100

Last week was Halloween and Greenpeace Hong Kong activists took advantage of the ghostly holiday to highlight the city's energy wastage. In full "Beetlejuice" outfits, around 20 people took to Tsim Sha Tsui International Plaza to protest the overuse of air-conditioning in the shopping malls.

The Esperanza and fishy friends in East Asia

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:30:00 +0100

Over the last month Greenpeace ship Esperanza has made its way through South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong in a campaign called 'Save Our Oceans'. The Esperanza was open to the public in Hong Kong for three days, where the tour included an ocean exhibition, 3D painting, a guide to eating sushi sustainably, and also an organic market.

Romance in China's rice fields

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:00:00 +0200

Having "Yangluo Rice" together is a way to show love for the young Dai people in Xinping country. Rice growing is an integral part of the community's history and culture. Just another example of why it is so important we protect China's rice culture from genetic engineering.

Hong Kong activists protest the city's "ghost malls"

Monica Tan, Web Editor — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:00:00 +0200

Greenpeace campaigners in Hong Kong protest at one of the city's shopping malls. Due to a certain pricing scheme, the malls leave their lights on all night, thereby wasting a lot of energy. Our campaigners took advantage of the Halloween holiday to ask if these lights were being left on for ghostly apparitions.