Download Report on Greenpeace NZ Campaign to Raise

Report on Greenpeace NZ Campaign to Raise Awareness About
Potential Climate Change Impacts on Our Country
"When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead,
we will discover that we can't eat money." Greenpeace Banner
Introduction
Earth has gone through massive changes in its long history. Due to natural causes
Earth’s climate has fluctuated between being very cold and very hot. In the most
recent 10,000 years Earth’s climate has become more stable, allowing flora and
fauna to flourish, and our human population to grow significantly. However, in more
recent years, particular during the last five to ten decades the climate balance has
been upset due mainly to industrialisation, which has caused an increase in the
amount of the amount of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrous oxide) in our atmosphere. This global increase in greenhouse gases is shown
in the graph at Figure 1. Climate scientists expect that without intervention the
Earth’s average temperature will increase by between 1.1 and 6.4°C this century. In
New Zealand, average temperatures are expected to increase about 1°C by around
2040 and about 2°C by around 2090.
Figure 1: Greenhouse Gas Concentrations
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International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an increasingly
influential role in shaping global policies and a major NGO player in the fight over
climate change is Greenpeace, which is an independent campaigning organisation
that uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental
problems, and to force the solutions essential to our future prosperity. In particular,
Greenpeace seeks solutions for, and promotes open, informed debate about
society's environmental choices. Greenpeace has an international membership of
over 3 million with offices in over 40 countries. They maintain that they don’t work
to manage environmental problems, they work to eliminate them. That’s why they
have executed a climate change campaign.
Without such intervention, global levels of greenhouse gases would no doubt
continue to grow as a consequence of human activities such as driving petrolpowered venicles, burning coal for heat and electricity, and milling forests. These
gases accumulate in the atmosphere and trap the sun's heat, a process often called
“global warming”, but perhaps better described as “climate change” due to the likely
consequences beyond a mere increase in temperature. Such consequences are
likely to include floods, storms, cyclones, droughts and landslips ,all of which could
have a very significant impact on our economy, environment and the way we live as
summarised at Appendix A.
Faced with the choice of deadly, dirty, dangerous energy like coal, oil and nuclear
power, or safe, clean and renewable power, what might you decide, Greenpeace
challenges us to answer. Doubtlessly, renewable energy sources, smartly used,
should meet our demands with the prospect of no oil spills, no humanly-caused
climate change, no radiation danger – simply energy we can trust. Greenpeace exists
because this fragile Earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It
needs action! The people who make up Greenpeace are a diverse and committed
bunch. Their volunteers, activists and staff span the globe, cover the age spectrum,
and defy simple categorisation other than a common aim: a green and peaceful
future for all.
Greenpeace’s number one concern and campaign worldwide is about creating
awareness of the detrimental effect of global climate change, and promoting public
awareness and debate about the issue. To achieve this aim Greenpeace use
research, education, lobbying and diplomacy, as well as high-profile, non-violent
protest social action strategies, the local extent and effectiveness of which is
examined in this report.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to comprehensively examine how the NZ Greenpeace
campaign of social action has raised awareness and influenced change given the
potential impact of climate change on New Zealand .
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Scope
To comprehensively examine this important climate change issue and Greenpeace’s
involvement, the discussion portion of this report addresses the following topics:
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Description of the issue from different points of view, values and
perspectives.
Description of the plan for the Greenpeace campaign of social action.
Description of the aims of the Greenpeace climate change campaign.
Explanation of the polices that the Greenpeace campaign is aiming to change
and / or influence.
Explanation of the reasons for for Greenpeace individuals and / or groups
being involved in the campaign.
Explanation of the reasons for Greenpeace individuals and / or groups
selecting the actions they did.
Exploration of the real and potential consequences of the Greenpeace
campaign
Critical evaluation of the effectiveness of the Greenpeace campaign,
including possible modifications that could have been made to improve the
campaign’s influence on policy.
Description of the Issue from Different Viewpoints
Whether we recognise it or not, we are all stakeholders in the climate change
scenario, meaning we can affect climate change for better or for worse, and climate
change will affect us for better or for worse. It seems unlikely that many people
would oppose climate change or stabililisation initiatives or benefit from global
warming especially in the longer term. Although some people challenge the cause of
climate change, a greater number are unsure about the impacts – which is where
much greater uncertainty exists even among our scientists.
New Zealanders’ Perspective. Historically, the average Kiwi hasn’t always given risk
the respect it deserves, evidenced today for example by our road carnage. One
theory for this relaxed attitude is that many of our ancestors, Maori and Pakeha,
must have been hopelessly optimistic to sail huge distances to carve out a life in a
strange and often hostile land. So perhaps it’s part of our genetic heritage that we
focus on the upside and ignore the possibility that something could go wrong. The
“she’ll be right” attitude still prevails. Given a dominant Kiwi philosophy of
ambivalence, NZ Greenpeace has it’s work cut out persuading us about the dangers
of climate change, particularly in the absence of strong local evidence, and the need
for early action.
And some Kiwis might think that climate change is something that's happening on
the other side of the world, to other people, or even something well into the future,
so we don't need to do anything about it here and now. We can eat our cake today,
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and promise ourselves we will diet tomorrow, and some will tell themselves that
there is still some doubt about whether climate change is even happening. Of
course, climate change lacks the visibility and immediacy of issues such as job
security, local school quality, crime, child abuse and our economic well-being.
Nevertheless, In New Zealand likely climate change impacts include higher
temperatures, rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events (ie, droughts
and floods), and changed rainfall patterns (ie, higher rainfall in the west and lower in
the east), the consequences of which for us are likely to include:
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Increased agricultural productivity in some areas, but with risks droughts and
proliferation of pests and diseases.
Extra costs associated with changing land-use to suit a new climate.
Warmer winters with fewer frosts, but hotter summers, bringing increased
risks of heat stress and subtropical diseases.
Faster growth of forests and vegetation, but native ecosystems could be
invaded by exotic species.
Rising sea levels increasing the risk of erosion and saltwater intrusion,
necessitating more coastal protection.
Retreating snowlines and glaciers and changed water flows in major South
Island rivers.
While some New Zealanders are climate change deniers and argue that any such
change is due to natural causes, there is plenty of evidence that climate change is
happening. But how concerned might New Zealanders be today that Greenland and
Antarctic ice sheet are melting and over some centuries might add up to seven
metres of sea-level rise.
Also, some New Zealanders would argue that we are too small to make a difference,
China’s doing nothing and will not do anything to impede its growth and nothing we
do will offset their rampant pollution, and if we Kiwis do anything it will just force
our businesses overseas. Yet, I don't think the All Blacks would say we're too small to
win this 2015 World Cup and as the saying goes, “If you think you are too small to
make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in your room.” But while NZ is
"only" responsible for 0.2 per cent of global emissions, the point is - on a per capita
basis our emissions are roughly twice China's rate. So why would we expect China to
cut back their emissions when they look around and see that they are far from the
biggest offenders on a per capita basis. Another view is that there is nothing we can
do about climate change and we are simply locked into eventual extinction.
Pacific Islanders’ Perspective. However, our Pacific neighbours, who live in some
very low-lying countries, do appreciate that they are at the mercy of rising sea levels,
yet they have produced almost no global warming pollution. Small island states are
particularly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. The Pacific is in fact
without a doubt one of the world’s most vulnerable regions when it comes to risk of
disaster due to climate change, particularly several of the low-lying coral islands. And
climate change is already affecting Pacific Islands with dramatic revenue loss across
sectors such as agriculture, water resources, forestry, tourism and other industry-
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related sectors. Ocean warming, frequent tropical cyclones, flash foods and droughts
are likely to have dramatic impact on food production system in Pacific Islands. Local
food production is vital to the Pacific Islands where the majority of rural people still
live and depend on subsistence agriculture. Despite being one of the wealthiest
countries in the Pacific Islands Forum and development partner to many island
countries, New Zealand continues to take little action to address climate change. At
Pacific Forum meetings New Zealand has called itself a “fast follower” in climate
change negotiations, but as the cartoon at Figure 2 suggests, perhaps todate New
Zealand has done what little we must to avoid appearing complacent.
Figure 2: Perhaps the Pacific Forum needs to take the climate change
issue more seriously given the its impact on our Pacific neighbours.
New Zealand Industrial and Agricultural Perspective. In the shorter term the local
and worldwide oil industry in particular would not be keen to see a downturn in
fossil fuel usage. Oil provides 40% to 43% of all energy used by the world. Oil and
coal each account for 40% of global warming emissions from fossil fuels
worldwide. Current reserves of oil alone are more than enough to take us into fullblown climate chaos. Natural gas, often touted for its supposed ecological benefits,
is not much better. A glance at the total global coal reserves is enough to induce
despair. However, oil is the lifeblood of our local economy. Today, in our country, oil
is being used to power most of our vehicles, making us all very dependent on it in
some way - to get to work, to get our food, to see our loved ones, or to go on
holiday. There are many cars, buses, trucks and planes moving around our cities, our
country and its skies, connecting people and moving stuff within New Zealand and
around the world. But all of these vehicles need thousands of litres of oil to keep
them going every day. And while that’s taking a toll on the air we breathe, on our
energy security, our economy, the environment and our climate, a large number of
New Zealand businesses have a vested interest in oil, particularly our agrucult and
tourist industries. Thus, many corporates would be apprehensive, at least in the
shorter term, about about Greenpeace’s climate change initiatives. According to
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"New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory "
(http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/New%20Zeala
nd/1/New%20Zealand%20INDC%202015.pdf) published by the NZ Ministry for the
Environment, in July 2015, shows that in 2013 agriculture contributed 48% and
transport 19% of total emissions. See the detailed breakdown at Figure 3. The
global average for agricultural emissions is 13%. On the subject of figures, MercedesBenz, Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi have joined the growing list of manufacturers
whose diesel cars are known to emit significantly more pollution on the road than in
regulatory tests, but of course we should not use this current scandal to pillory
climate change statistics, yet it makes one ponder the accuracy of seemingly precise
climate change predictions.
Figure 3: Sources of greenhouse gas emissions – New Zealand 2013
NZ Government Perspective. Public attitudes will guide how, when and whether our
government effectively responds to the climate change challenge. At present it
seems they are doing the minimal possible. Public opinion influences national
priorities and the acceptability — as well as the acceptance — of new policies and
technologies. In the coming decade, Kiwi awareness and concerns about climate
change could shift dramatically if energy prices rise, if concerns about political
stability in the Middle East and in other major energy-producing regions of the world
continue, and if national policy initiatives and international agreements push
countries to take aggressive actions to stem carbon emissions and reduce water and
air pollution. Gradually, and partly as a consequence of the Greenpeace campaign,
our politicans now recognise climate change as a problem that warrants action.
They seem more willing to discuss options, although not yet nuclear power, which
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alternative energy source Greenpeace stronly oppose. In fact, nuclear power
presents the ultimate catch-22 for environmentalists. It doesn't generate a lot of
greenhouse gases, but it does produce long-lasting toxic waste.
Description of Greenpeace Campaign Aims
Climate change is Greenpeace’s number one global priority. They maintain that it is
the greatest environmental threat that humanity has ever faced and unchecked it
will adversely affect human society and the world’s biodiversity on an
unprecedented scale. Thus, the Greenpeace campaign aims to stop climate change
and provide provide New Zealand with reliable alternative renewable sources of
energy – wind, solar, hydro, geothermal. Their generic campaign aims are:
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To improve and strengthen government action.
To promote clean, renewable energy.
To stop the use of dirty energy.
Greenpeace describe fossil fuels including coal, natural gas, and oil as dirty energy
since burning fossil fuels releases carbon in the form of carbon dioxide, the most
significant greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. Greenpeace believe
that oil companies have already found enough oil to cause dangerous climate
change and if they make available existing reserves, the effects on the climate could
be catastrophic. Greenpeace recognised the need to establish a credible action plan
to dramatically lower our emissions – one that would demonstrate their collective
commitment to the climate change challenge.
Description of the Campaign Plan
Greenpeace tell us that nstead of spending money exploring for more oil, we must
begin now to invest in the future - clean, renewable energy. To continue with
business-as-usual is to gamble with our lives and risk major ecological and economic
disruption. Thus, the NZ Greenpeace plan to realise the climate change campaign
aims involves a variety of sdtrategies including education, protesting, writing to the
newspaper and lobbing politicans. Speciofically, they anticipated that once
implemented their plan will:
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Cut Greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to 40 percent of 1990 levels.
Replace dirty fossil fuel energy with efficient renewable energy sources.
Reduce climate pollution through the “smart” farming practices.
Greenpeace climate change plan execution policies are designed to achieve these
objectives. Greenpeace is known particularly for its direct actions and as a
consequence has been described as the most visible environmental organisation in
the world. It has also been a source of controversy; its motives and methods (some
illegal) have received criticism and the organisation's direct actions have sometimes
sparked legal actions against Greenpeace activists, such as fines and suspended
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sentences. Greenpeace sometimes use the “greater good” defence as for the
Waihopai spy base incident.
Explanation of Campaign Policies
NZ Greenpeace campaign policies are focused primarily on direct action, public
awareness and education, and political lobbying. These policies and their
implementation are explained here:
Direct Action. Creative nonviolent action will mobilise public opinion. The objective
is to obtain as much coverage as possible through the media. Greenpeace has
mastered the art of using images, as for example when earlier this year when
activists scaled Parliament House with a banner reading, "Cut pollution, create jobs?
Yeah, nah." See Figure 3. Their leader said,"I think it is very important to put that
pressure on [the Government] because it is an international problem and we need to
call for action so it's very important that the spotlight is on New Zealand at this point
in time. Especially leading up to the summit in Paris later on this year, [because] New
Zealand is really not pulling its weight at all and is being very constructive on the
international stage.” However, instead of the focus being on their cause, the local
story became more about how they managed to breach parliament security. The
four activists were convicted of trespassing and ordered to pay reparation of $750
each. The organisation's methods, such as the use of direct action have sometimes
led to controversy and legal action. Examples of Greenpeace non-violent direct
action (also known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance) include sitins, strikes, workplace occupations, blockades and hacktivism, while violent direct
action has included political violence, sabotage, property destruction, and
even assaults. The Greenpeace climate change campaign has involved several of
these tatics.
Figure 3: NZ Greenpeace climate change activists in action at Parliament House.
Public Education and Awareness. Greenpeace outreach occurs through door-todoor and direct dialogue and fund-raising programmes. Canvassers distribute fact
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sheets and consumer guides. Greenpeace use multi-media extensively, including online interactive documentaries, slides, photos, essays, videos, pocasts and webcams.
One very useful Greenpeace publication is the Clean Energy Guide
(www.cleanenergyguide.org.nz) that provides comprehensive information in a very
readable style that we need to know in order to switch to a cleaner, renewable
electricity provider and help stop dangerous climate change. With consumer
pressure Greenpeace aims to discourage energy companies from using fossil fuels
and encourage them to move to producing clean renewable energy. In the past it
has been difficult to choose a cleaner electricity provider because of a lack of
information, but that has changed. Greenpeace has collated the information for us,
to make the choice easy. As part of the campaign, Greenpeace investigated
electricity providers in New Zealand and looked at how they currently generate
electricity, their future generation plans and their policies for the future regarding
renewable energy and fossil fuels, the result is this Clean Energy Guide. Greenpease
reckon that almost anyone with an electricity account can switch to a cleaner energy
supplier with little more than a phone call or by filling in an online form.
By switching your energy supply Greenpeace envisages a strong message will be sent
to the energy companies that Kiwis do not want to buy, or promote, dirty electricity.
The Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution publication (http://www.greenpeace.org/
international/Global/international/publications/climate/2012/Energy%20Revolution
%202012/ER2012.pdf) provides a consistent fundamental pathway for how to
protect our climate: getting the world from where we are now to where we need to
be by phasing out fossil fuels and cutting CO2 emissions while ensuring energy
security. Greenpeace multimedia and interactive climate change education material
includes audio slideshows, photos, special reports and videos on climate, oceans,
forests, toxics, and sustainable agriculture.
Political Lobbying. Greenpeace campaigners attempt to reach "mainstream"
politics. During the campaign for the ratification of the Kyoto protocol on climate
change, Greenpeace was not powerful enough to counterbalance the fossil fuel
industry, which with government promoted the idea that Kyoto would not be
economically viable. Greenpeace showed a lack of consensus on that issue. The
organisation's story needs to "sell" well and be presented in language that
broadcasters and ordinary people understand. But what does sell well? First it needs
to be entertaining. Even if this type of strategy cannot meet educational objectives,
it does influence decision-making in the political arena. Greenpeace has the political
power to get results where smaller organisations are not very efficient. Greenpeace
is the only group that can bring changes in the political arena by efficiently targeting
pressure points through the use of mass media. Greenpeace contends that the
National led government has an appalling record with regards to tackling climate
change and that their own official figures speak for themselves. Emissions are
currently on track to be 50% higher than our promised reductions and New Zealand
has dropped out of Ernst and Young’s ranking as a desirable place to do clean energy
business and we have been scored as “very poor” on the global Climate Change
Performance Index 2015. And this despite having 80% renewable electricity.
Greenpeace alleges that he National Party is suffering a policy vacuum when it
comes to climate. It needs to match its rhetoric on tackling climate change with
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actual policies. According to Greenpeace there appears to be no plan from National
to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is the only real solution to
climate change. Of course political parties are inclined to be poll-driven and thus
short-sighted. NZ Greenpeace suggests that the enduring legacy of this Government
could be a failure to act on climate change, which both makes us look bad on the
world stage, and will make it harder and more expensive for us to move to a lowcarbon economy in the future.
Carbon Tax. Greenpeace supports calls for a revenue-neutral carbon tax as a means
to help reduce emissions. They favour transition from an ineffective Emissions
Trading Scheme to an effective carbon tax that provides a greater degree of
certainty over the price on emissions, creates improved transparency, and provides
far stronger incentives for emissions reduction. The charge on carbon will send a
consistent price signal to consumers and businesses to encourage them to reduce
their carbon footprint, ensure that polluters pay, reward businesses and households
that are carbon efficient, encourage innovation by making low-carbon clean
technology alternatives more attractive financially. While carbon tax will help, it is
only one part of an integrated Greenpeace strategy.
Explanation of Reasons for Involvement in the Campaign
People are mostly involved in this Greenpeace climate change campaign because
they believe the devastating effect that unrestrained climate change will have on our
environment. There are some 15,000 Greenpeace volunteers worldwide who do
everything from licking envelopes to climbing smokestacks. Volunteers who wish to
be activists are usually given action and non-violence training. In answer to the
question, “What inspires you to support Greenpeace?”
(http://www.greenpeacefund.org/yourturn-calendar/) responses include these:
“I have always been an environment lover and with the work Greenpeace is
doing to protect our planet it seemed critical to join in. Combined with the
fact they are completely neutral, not taking money from corporations or
governments, as well as global, with campaigns that bring power and focus to
important issues. The other big thing that keeps me involved with
Greenpeace are its “victories”. So many charities are doing like things but
don’t always have the victories/successes behind their work. With
Greenpeace, in the last 5 years, progress and victories are happening all the
time to show movement and success, which makes a huge difference to me.”
“Why do I support Greenpeace? Because your philosophy includes the
concept that humans should be stewards no despoilers of our planet. Alas,
greed and the lust for comfort are riding too high. I am in my 90’s have not
owned a car for 14 years and do my best to waste not.”
“I have been supporting Greenpeace for many years. I remember the loss of
the Rainbow Warrior in the Pacific to protect the planet. Greenpeace is
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unique among environmental groups because its activists and supporters put
their lives on the line to protect the planet we depend on for clean air, water,
food, and so many other life giving treasures.”
“Greenpeace is a gutsy environmental ACTION organisation, in a culture
where other organisations walk into negotiations with compromise at the top
of their action list. We can NOT compromise anything anymore. It’s what has
brought us species and planet devastation.”
Thus, reasons for involvement are a love of the environment, a wish to protect it and
an appreciation of Greenpeace action-oriented methods of protest, their
independence and their non-negotiable position on environmental issues.
Greenpeace’s celebrity supporters, such as Sir Paul McCartney, and many
Hollywood heavyweights, including Jane Fonda, Robert Redford and Penelope Cruz,
are no doubt an attraction for some. Some support Greenpeace Greenpeace accepts
no donations from corporate, government, political parties or multinational bodies
like the United Nations. Thus, they can maintain an independent voice, but this
means they rely totally on individual supporters to fund our work. Thus, people’s
involvement and financial support enables Greenpeace to investigate, campaign,
document and lobby for a sustainable balance between humans and the
environment worldwide. With people’s involvement Greenpeace can expose
environmental abuses and given its significant membership it has proven influence.
Explanation for Reasons for Selecting Actions Undertaken
The reasons for the range actions that Greenpeace has taken and propose to take
over their climate change concerns is that these different actions have proved to be
effective in the past. And the range of actions available will be more or less effective
with different stakeholder groups – who may or may not agree Greenpeace’s climate
change concerns, and may or may not have much influence, but all of whom will be
affected by climate change. Greenpeace often uses sensational, nonviolent
confrontations to expose governments and corporations that abuse environmental
laws. The reason for these bold tactics is that they create journalistic buzz, get the
public's attention and frequently influence national and international environmental
and conservation policies – they are effective.
Climate Change Campaign Consequences
The NZ Greenpeace climate change campaign is on-going and will doubtlessly
continue and with increasing vigour particularly if it is proves to be successful in its
aims. Todate, the consequences, real and potential, of the campaign are hard to
measure, but are assessed here in terms of the campaign aims:
To improve and strengthen government action. Although government may not
admit to it, it seems very likely that NZ Greenpeace’s climate change direct and
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lobbying is having an impact with central government who set legislation and
policy. The key piece of legislation for adapting to climate change and associated
natural hazards is the Resource Management Act (RMA). Now all people
exercising duties and functions under the RMA are required to have particular
regard to the effects of climate change and this is undertaken as part of wider
natural hazards management. Other adaptation related legislation, policies and
plans include the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, the National
Infrastructure Plan and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. Central
government also provides information and guidance to local government and
businesses such as the manual “Preparing for coastal change” and the report
“Impacts of climate change on land-based sectors and adaptation options.”
Central government also funds research and publishes information on climate
change impacts and prepares for, and responds to, major natural hazard events.
Such legislative initatives may not have come to fruition without pressure from
Greenpeace and like organisations.
To promote clean, renewable energy. Greenpeace argue that it is time for New
Zealand to invest in clean, safe energy sources. They believe their endeavours
helped to persuade the previous Labour-led government to set a renewable
energy target of 90 per cent by 2025, which policy is a great endorsement of
Greenpeace's Energy Revolution report (http://www.greenpeace.org/newzealand/en/reports/global-energy-report/), which concluded that a 100 per cent
renewable target is doable in New Zealand. The Labour government also said no
to any new fossil fuel generation for the next 10 years. Unlike fossil fuel-based
energy, renewable energy is reliable, limitless power generated by natural forces
and processes such as sunshine, wind, flowing water (hydro), organic materials
(biomass) and geothermal heat. And in the future there will also be ocean
energy, such as tidal or wave power. To promote the clean, renewable energy
goal Greenpeace develpoed the Clean Energy Guide (http://www.greenpeace.
org/new-zealand/en/campaigns/climate-change/clean-energy/clean-energyguide/) that provides the information we need to switch to a cleaner, renewable
electricity provider and help stop dangerous climate change. In 2014, a
Consumer survey revealed that 64 percent of customers had shopped around for
better energy better deals. Some of this shopping would no doubt be as a result
of the Greenpeace guide.
To stop the use of dirty energy. Greenpeace opposes the development and
building of fossil fuel energy sources in New Zealand and due to some relentless
campaigning by lots of different people including Greenpeace, Mighty River
Power's Marsden B coal fired power station proposal was abandoned in March
2007. See too Figure 4. And Figure 5 shows Lucy Lawless aboard the Shellcontracted drilling rig, Noble Discoverer. In her defence see said, “I owe it to my
children to be counted among those demanding immediate action on climate
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change. If we don’t stand up to companies like Shell and call them to account for
their reckless pursuit of oil into the farthest unspoiled reaches of the world, who
will?” By the fourth day when the police finally ascended the tower, 130,000
people had evidently added their voices to the Greenpeace call that Shell quit
the arctic. Shell has now withdrawn from the Arctic, which is a victory for
Greenpeace and over 7 million Arctic Defenders worldwide.
Figure 4: Greenpeace activist Adam Shore hangs from the side of
the ship Atermon, in a protest to stop the unloading of coal from
Indonesia to be burnt at the Huntly power station.
More than 50 Greenpeace activists took direct action in the first half of 2012 by
boarding the Anglo-Dutch giant’s icebreakers and oil-drilling ships in the seas off
New Zealand, Sweden and Germany, while thousands more volunteers have voiced
their own message to Shell, the first major international oil company to make
exploitation of the Arctic a major focus. Greenpeace predicted that if Shell struck oil,
other global oil giants would quickly follow and spark an Arctic oil rush, threatening
the pristine environment and the species and communities who call it home. The
Greenpeace actions galvanised public opposition to the threat to the Arctic, and 2.3
million people have now joined the Greenpeace orchestrated campaign to declare
the Arctic off limits to oil drilling and destructive industry.
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Figure 5: Greenpeace activists shine a light on Shell’s plans to drill for oil
in the icy Arctic wilderness. Shell has now quit its Arctic venture.
Campaign Evaluation
NZ's size dictates that it c an never be a maj or contri butor to global war ming either globally or or i n the Pacific . Whatever meas ures it i ntr oduc es are s ymbolic onl y. It is the big pl ayers on the world stage who must chang e their ways. T hat is the unfortunate tr uth. Eventuall y, even without global war ming, all l and mass es will eventuall y be cons umed i n a proc ess that has exis ted for millions of years. All l and treasur es will eventuall y go , that is als o an unfortunate and irreversi ble truth.
The climate change issues that Greenpeace want to resolve require long-term
campaign work and a massive shift in opinions on the environment and ecology. In
short, they need to open up to a lot more people, and inspire those people to take
action. Anyway, given the consequences of the campaign, it seems that it has been a
success thus far…
Climate chaos is not inevitable. Renewable energy and energy efficiency can provide
the energy and emissions reductions we need without undesireable side effects. The
Greenpeace Energy Revolution provides a blueprint for a reliable global energy
supply, which doesn't compromise our climate.
I suggest that much of Greenpeace’s climate change communication makes people
feel bad, irrelevant and useless, when we should be helping people to understand
(and trust) that they can, and are, making a difference. We have all grown up in a
culture of material consumption, acquisition and possession. This is what we call our
"quality of life” and is how we measure our success, our achievement, our status,
our desirability. Much of combating climate change is about letting go of "things”. It
is no wonder therefore that people are reluctant to change. They feel as though they
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have worked all their lives to get their standard of living to where they want it, and
now Greenpeace are telling them they have to ride a bike.
No-one likes to be the bearer of bad news. One of Greenpeace’s challenges in
reaching the numbers of people that they need to is how to define an effective social
content strategy that fulfils their overall mission. The problem is that people look to
social media for escapism, not for bad news. Greenpeace struggle to make their
messages heard on those networks when they led with very problem-loaded
messages.
Also, I suggest that this Greenpeace campaign cannot afford a Sea Shepherd-like
incident as it is astonishing how quickly a reputation and image can be destroyed.
VW is the latest in a long and undistinguished line – oil companies, banks, FIFA and
so on. And it is not simply a matter of the scandal, but also the cover-up, who knew
what and when. Huge donations are needed to fund the climate change campaign.
Of necessity, Greenpeace is becoming a corporate fundraising machine and that may
be the organisation’s vulnerabiliy - imagine "Climategate"!!
Concluding Thoughts
New Zealand’s size dictates that we can never be a major contributor to global
warming either globally or or in the Pacific. Whatever measures we take are largely
symbolic only. It is the big players on the world stage who must also change their
ways. Yet, if NZ can triumph in sport and lead the world on votes for women and
nuclear disarmament, we can be climate heroes too. Otherwise we will be blamed
for choosing exploitation over conservation. We are now on the UN Security Council
and have a well-earned reputation for punching above our weight. The world looks
to us to be a voice for what is right, to be an advocate for the small guy. However, if
the world sees that even progressive, clean, green New Zealand is refusing to
commit to real action on climate change, then this sends the message that it's all too
hard and that they do not need to try either.
New Zealand has abundant, diverse renewable energy resources. Around 80% of our
electricity has come from renewable sources in recent years – this is among the
highest in the OECD. We are making progress towards reaching our target of 90
percent of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025. If there was ever a
no-brainer for New Zealand, it is eletcric cars. We are swimming in emission-free,
renewable energy from hydro, geothermal and wind sources, and once the Tiwai
Point aluminium smelter closes we will have 15% more.
Importantly, the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be attended by
196 countries, will be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December. The
conference objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on
climate, from all the nations of the world. As French Foireifn Minister Laurent
Faabius says, “Climate talks can’t fail as there is no alternative planet.” It is
important to New Zealand that the international community shares the effort
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required to combat climate change in a fair manner. Meanwhile Greenpeace and
other activists have promised the largest ever climate civil obedience ever at this
Paris conference. Backed by a parallel call for divestment from fossil fuels, the call to
keep it in the ground is has become a powerful rallying cry. Global warming is an
issue that is, well, global.
The benefits of one country’s carbon emissions reductions are distributed worldwide
while the costs are isolated to the individual country. Steps taken to reduce
emissions by some countries can be negated by increases in emissions in other
countries. So if action is to be taken on climate change, it must be done so
cooperatively. The 2015 Paris Conference provides an opportunity to do just that.
Climate change is reshaping human civilization. How we respond may determine the
future of our species. Meanwhile, oil companies may be anxious if we start to
abandon the internal combustion engine. And the recent decision to exclude plug-in
cars for our Government fleet is a missed opportunity, although what if the battery
dies in Naenae?!
Appendices:
A. Summary of Climate Change impacts on NZ
References:
Exchange of email traffic between Emma Young and Brenna Gotje, Supporter
Relationships, Greenpeace, Aotearoa New Zealand
NZ Listener, 26 September – 2 October, feature article “PowewrDrive”
http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/about/
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/how-climate-change-affects-nz/climatechange-impacts
http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/campaigns/climate-change/
http://www.cakex.org/sites/default/files/documents/Exec-Summary-PIRCAFINAL2.pdf
http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/New%20Zeala
nd/1/New%20Zealand%20INDC%202015.pdf
http://www.leftcom.org/en/articles/2014-02-24/climate-change-the-alternative-issocial-collapse-or-socialism
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Appendix A: Summary of Climate Change impacts on NZ
Source: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/how-climate-change-affectsnz/climate-change-impacts
ISSUE
MAIN POINTS


Higher
temperatures

More frequent intense winter rainfalls are expected to
increase the likelihood of flooding by rivers, as well as flash
flooding when urban drainage systems become
overwhelmed


Water demand will be heightened during hot, dry summers
Longer summers with higher temperatures and lower
rainfall will reduce soil moisture and groundwater supplies
River flows are likely to be lower in summer and higher in
winter
Lower river flows in summer will raise water temperatures
and aggravate water quality problems
Flooding

Water
resources



Health


Biodiversity
There is likely to be an increase in demand for airconditioning systems and therefore for electricity in
summer
Conversely, there will be a reduction in demand for winter
heating meaning less costs for bill payers and reducing
stress on those who cannot afford electricity

Higher levels of mortality related to summer heat are
expected
Higher winter temperatures would be likely to lead to a
reduction in winter related mortality and illnesses such as
colds and flu
Warmer weather would favour conditions for increased
competition from exotic species as well as the spread of
disease and pests, affecting both fauna and flora
Warmer temperatures will reduce some critical habitats,
increasing the risk of localised extinction
Increased summer drought will cause stress to dry lowland
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ISSUE
MAIN POINTS


Increased temperatures may reduce comfort of occupants
in domestic, commercial and public buildings, and could
lead to business disruption

Hotter summers may damage elements of transport
infrastructure, causing buckled railway lines and rutted
roads, with associated disruption and repair costs

Households may find it more difficult to access adequate
insurance cover in the face of increased flood risk
Fruit and vegetable growers may find it more expensive to
insure against weather related damage eg, hail
The risk management of potential climate change impacts
may provide significant opportunities for business
Built
environment
Transport

Business and
Finance
forests
Earlier springs and longer frost-free seasons could affect
the timing of bird egg-laying, as well as the emergence, first
flowering and health of leafing or flowering plants

:
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