Press release - October 14, 2005
BANGALORE, India — As part of their global campaign to combat climate change, Greenpeace activists today condemned the CEOs of Refrigeration manufacturing companies including Electrolux, LG, Samsung, BPL and Whirlpool, for not using climate-friendly technologies in their appliances in India and thereby forcing consumers to buy refrigerators that are detrimental to the environment and global warming. The activists were speaking at the unveiling of a large mural depicting impacts of global warming and climate change on the environment.
The mural depicts the CEOs of five large refrigeration
companies, saying '"Everyone is Talking About the Climate - We
Destroy it" at the Chithrakala Parishad, the art hub of Bangalore.
The mural is the product of five days work by four young artists
from Bangalore, and represents the impact of global warming and
climate change on the planet.
"The images of devastation caused by climate change across the
world, documented by Greenpeace, moved us to use the powerful
medium of art to communicate the need to oppose corporations who
contribute to global warming" said Xavier Barnes, one of the
artists.
"Way back in 1992, Greenpeace highlighted that Hydro
fluorocarbon (HFCs) and Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) used by
refrigerator manufacturers across the world were gases with very
high global warming potentials, 1300 times more than CO2. That is
when Greenpeace innovations unit developed "Greenfreeze" technology
using hydrocarbon (HC) gases, an open patent technology, cheaper,
effective and climate friendly alternative that most companies in
Europe, Australia, Japan and a large number of developing countries
have adopted in their bid to combat climate change" said K.
Srinivas, Climate and Clean energy campaigner, Greenpeace
India.
"It is unfortunate that Electrolux, LG, Samsung and Whirlpool,
use HC technology for manufacturing refrigerators in Europe and
other markets, but refuse to do so in India, this clearly
demonstrates their double standards and utter disregard for the
environment." he continued..
The unveiling of the mural launches "Greenfreeze" campaign in
India to force complete phase out of climate change gases in the
refrigeration industry. The mural will travel to several cities in
the country in the coming weeks to generate awareness about the
issues of climate change and global warming.
For further information, please contact:
Srinivas K.
Climate and Clean Energy Campaigner +91-98451-12130
Nayana Jayarajan
Media Officer +91-9880821149
