Maybe you’ve participated in our campaigns. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by some of the media headlines lately and could use a dose of good news. Maybe you’re working on a school project and are looking for some examples of sustainable solutions.
Whatever your reason, welcome to our good news page! We’re glad you made it.
We have so much to celebrate this month. From the oceans to our cities to our screens, Greenpeace has been making waves! We’re excited to share these stories with you, along with some cool content for you to check out.
THE BUZZ
Vancouver votes to fund climate lawsuit
In a historic move, the City of Vancouver has voted to fund a class-action lawsuit against oil and gas companies for climate-related costs.
The motion to allocate funds for a lawsuit acknowledges the cost of climate change to municipalities. Vancouver, for instance, is expected to spend $1 billion to address rising sea levels with measures that could include sea wall repairs. By voting to hold Big Oil accountable for damages, the city has taken a step toward protecting taxpayers from paying for these kinds of climate costs.
Similar lawsuits have been filed in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States as part of a growing movement for climate accountability, fuelled by people power! In Canada, West Coast Environmental Law launched the “Sue Big Oil” campaign, as Greenpeace supporters made deputations at the Vancouver city council and petitioned local governments to explore legal action against big polluters. The tide is turning against the fossil fuel industry, and they should not expect to continue to profit at our expense.
Disposable cups restricted in Taipei stores
Starting in December, Taipei will restrict the use of single-use plastic cups in businesses across the city.
According to the city’s Department of Environmental Protection, 2,206 chain and non-chain beverage stores in Taipei will stop using disposable plastic cups. The move is expected to reduce the use of more than 76 million single-use plastic cups next year.
Greenpeace has been campaigning for retailers in Taiwan to phase out single-use plastics for years. While we celebrate this victory, we will continue to push for a more complete transition toward reusable solutions, including here in Canada!
Shell advertisement ruled misleading
Does this headline sound familiar? Well, it is! This is the fourth time this year that the Netherlands’ advertising watchdog has ruled an ad campaign by the oil company Shell to be misleading.
The ad suggested that customers could pay more to neutralize their emissions. In response, Greenpeace Netherlands and its partner, Reclame Fossielvrij (“Advertising Fossil Free”), filed a complaint to the Dutch advertisement watchdog. Following an investigation, the body decided that the oil giant had failed to prove that it can offset the harm caused by its products. [1]
These rulings could set precedents for countries with similar advertising codes. Just last November, Greenpeace Canada filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau, challenging Shell Canada’s claims about forest-based offsets. Every case we file exposes greenwashing and keeps Big Oil accountable for its role in the climate crisis!
Bottom trawling banned in Swedish marine protected areas
Great news coming in from Sweden: bottom trawling has been banned in marine protected areas!
In 2009, Greenpeace Sweden placed over 200 boulders on the seabed around two marine protected areas. These areas are home to porpoises and one of Sweden’s rarest shark species, which Greenpeace aimed to protect from bottom trawling. Greenpeace also submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission about the lack of protection in these Swedish areas.
And our hard work has paid off: as of last month, there is a total ban on bottom trawling in all of the protected areas and a complete fishing ban in half of them! These bans are among the strongest protections in place within the network of protected areas in Europe. The same process has now created protected areas in Danish waters as well, and we hope to see them implemented in more areas soon!
CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Greenpeace seizes 30km of industrial fishing gear in the North Atlantic
A new report from Greenpeace, Hooked on Sharks, exposes the industrial-scale fishing operation impacting shark populations in the North Atlantic Ocean. The investigation found that fishing vessels from the EU are casting longlines in shark breeding grounds. Activists aboard the Arctic Sunrise intervened and confiscated gear from two industrial longline fishing vessels on July 15. They released a blue shark, seven swordfish, and other marine life caught on the lines. Notably, one of these ships was operating in a Marine Protected Area.
The growing demand for shark products and the under-regulation of the fishing industry threaten shark populations. The report makes several recommendations to protect sharks and our oceans, including EU policy changes and a strong Global Ocean Treaty.
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT
Greenpeace Student Team at Wilkinson Public School
Alexis, Anton and Esrom have been hard at work. These grade 5/6 students baked green- and blue-coloured cupcakes, cookies, and brownies to raise money for Greenpeace. They also made Greenpeace-themed bracelets, which they sold to their school community. Together, they were able to raise an awesome $355 for Greenpeace in just one day!
Thank you, Alexis, Anton and Esrom.❤️
As a new academic year begins, now is a great time to take on your own challenge or fundraiser to help protect our beautiful planet. Check out Greenpeace’s #BECAUSE fundraising campaign for tools and inspiration.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
CONTENT RECOMMENDATIONS
An op-ed by our Head of Oceans and Plastic Campaign, Sarah King, on solutions to plastic packaging in the Toronto Star.
Have a read
A drone show organized by Greenpeace Seoul, asking for a strong Global Oceans Treaty!
Check it out
Meet the small businesses centering reuse and refill strategies in Canada.
Take a look
Books about the climate crisis that offer hope.
Have a peek
SOURCES
[1] https://www.greenpeace.org/nl/natuur/53224/shell-opnieuw-schuldig-aan-misleiding-met-co2-compensatie/ (available only in Dutch)
Discussion
This is very informative to know about and also brings a smile to my face to see change happening all around the globe. Thank you, Greenpeace for how much you aware us of what is happening to the planet we live on and how we can protect it because for too long these problems have been swept under the mat. But now we can see that, that is changing, making a more healthy, sustainable future. And most of all bringing us together so we can build that future
Thanks for the good news!!! We need more of these 😍