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The Esperanza's crew - 38 people from 16 countries - will be searching for Japan's whaling fleet, which plans to kill 935 minke whales and 10 endangered fin whales in what they claim to is "scientific whaling", but which we say is nothing less than commercial whaling.
But the expedition is just part of a much bigger campaign. Back on land, our work to end whaling will be focused on engaging with the two-thirds of Japanese people who do not support whaling in the Sanctuary, via websites like Whale Love Wagon, as well as building a global crew to campaign together via the website whales.greenpeace.org.
"Last year our campaign forced corporations out of the whaling business, now the Japanese government is spending tax payers money on a redundant industry that the majority of the voters in my country don't even agree with," said Junichi Sato, whales project leader in Greenpeace Japan, speaking from Auckland.
"We want to work with the two-thirds majority at home who share our view, so a clear message is sent from the people of Japan to their own government to get out of whaling."
Pro-whaling organisations - such as the Institute for Cetacean Research - often spin opposition to whaling as being "anti-Japan". Our campaign will send a positive message that we love Japan - but not whaling. We want to make it clear that while people all over the world want to see an end to whaling, there is respect and understanding of the Japanese people.
"The Japanese government is not the only one that we will be challenging to stop whaling," said Esperanza expedition leader Karli Thomas. "Too many governments have talked about protecting the whales without taking action. They need to ensure that they gain enough support inside the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to begin the process of reforming it, so it becomes an organisation that works for the whales and not for the whalers."
How Can You Help?
First, join the biggest crew ever - and start your campaign to stop whaling.
Ask Denmark!
Next month, the Japanese Government will host a meeting in Tokyo to discuss the future of the whaling industry. Other governments will be invited, in an attempt to create an illusion of widespread support for an end to the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling.
We're asking Denmark not to go to this meeting.
Denmark is a swing country at the IWC. It takes a strong pro-whaling line because its delegation is dominated by the wishes of Greenland and the Faroe islands. But a majority of its population opposes whaling, and Denmark has supported many positive initiatives to protect whales and maintain transparency at the IWC.
But the expedition is just part of a much bigger campaign. Back on land, our work to end whaling will be focused on engaging with the two-thirds of Japanese people who do not support whaling in the Sanctuary, via websites like Whale Love Wagon, as well as building a global crew to campaign together via the website whales.greenpeace.org.
"Last year our campaign forced corporations out of the whaling business, now the Japanese government is spending tax payers money on a redundant industry that the majority of the voters in my country don't even agree with," said Junichi Sato, whales project leader in Greenpeace Japan, speaking from Auckland.
"We want to work with the two-thirds majority at home who share our view, so a clear message is sent from the people of Japan to their own government to get out of whaling."
Pro-whaling organisations - such as the Institute for Cetacean Research - often spin opposition to whaling as being "anti-Japan". Our campaign will send a positive message that we love Japan - but not whaling. We want to make it clear that while people all over the world want to see an end to whaling, there is respect and understanding of the Japanese people.
"The Japanese government is not the only one that we will be challenging to stop whaling," said Esperanza expedition leader Karli Thomas. "Too many governments have talked about protecting the whales without taking action. They need to ensure that they gain enough support inside the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to begin the process of reforming it, so it becomes an organisation that works for the whales and not for the whalers."
How Can You Help?
First, join the biggest crew ever - and start your campaign to stop whaling.
Ask Denmark!
Next month, the Japanese Government will host a meeting in Tokyo to discuss the future of the whaling industry. Other governments will be invited, in an attempt to create an illusion of widespread support for an end to the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling.
We're asking Denmark not to go to this meeting.
Denmark is a swing country at the IWC. It takes a strong pro-whaling line because its delegation is dominated by the wishes of Greenland and the Faroe islands. But a majority of its population opposes whaling, and Denmark has supported many positive initiatives to protect whales and maintain transparency at the IWC.
Denmark don't go
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