Barnes and Noble Booksellers is one of the largest book retailers in the United States. It is unfortunate that their publishing house along with other publishers are buying from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), a company that is decimating the Paradise Rainforest in Indonesia and illegally destroying Ramin trees. APP’s paper pulp is ending up in books sold at Barnes and Noble stores all over the country. Learn more.
Greenpeace volunteers took to the streets on Saturday April 21 at the Barnes and Noble in Huntington Beach to bring awareness to the public.Our goal was to hold our banner that said “Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Rainforest Destroyers: Not so Noble,” get customers to stop and talk to us about why we were there, hand them a flower to remind them to not forget about the rainforest, and mobilize them to take action by sending text message petitions. The event was a success! We were able to hand out all our flowers, hold our banner up for an hour and a half in front of the store and get 40 text petitions.Weren’t there but wish you were? Take action.
The public reception was very friendly. The vast majority of people who stopped to talk with us had no idea Barnes & Noble would be selling books with paper made from rainforestsand felt what we were doing was important, not only for their future, but there children’s future. I think that giving out the flowers allowed people to be a little more receptive to us outside of the store.
When I met with the store manager to deliver the Ramin paper trail report she said she was advised not to speak to or take anything from Greenpeace. This clearly shows that we have had an effect on Barnes and Noble and that we are getting under their skin. She eventually took the report. You can read it too.
We all enjoy the wonder and knowledge that books give us, but what price are we willing to pay? I don’t want my children reading books about the rainforest printed on the rainforest. Barnes and Noble needs to choose a business model that supports a more sustainable future not only for us but for generations to come.Take action now!
