The idea was simple: Make sure Congress gets the picture. Thanks to hundreds of you, last week Congress got a clear picture of how concerned Americans are about global warming. In Congressional offices all across the country, activists delivered pictures of people and places they love, along with personal notes about how the climate crisis will affect what they care about most.
All around the country I'm sure your visits and messages left quite an impression.
"It was very cool to actually visit my representative's office. This is the first time I have done this." - Greg from Los Gatos, CA
Even if you didn't get a chance to stop by your Representative's office last week, you can still make sure Congress hears from you by using our online photo action tool! Just pick out a digital picture of something dear to you that's being threatened by global warming and write a brief message explaining your concerns. You can upload your picture and send it to your Representative, along with your message, on our web site:
I loved the movie Wall*E. It was beautiful, Wall*E was a very lovable robot and the setting of an abandoned, treeless Earth filled with trash really showed what could happen if we don't stop harming this planet.
That's why I was so shocked to see that Kimberly-Clark is featuring Wall*E on the boxes of its Kleenex brand tissues. If you look on the bottom of these boxes, you'll see a little recycled symbol that says: "This box is made from 100% recycled paper." What you won't see on the bottom of that box is a message telling you that the tissues inside it are made from trees up to 180 years old that were cut from forests up to 10,000 years old. Nor will you read that Kimberly-Clark refuses to use any recycled material in Kleenex even though doing so would save huge areas of ancient forests.
We couldn't let this go unchallenged so we asked Mark Fiore, celebrated political cartoonist and friend of Greenpeace, to create an animated movie of our own. In the animation, Wall*E meets one of his precursors: a robot called Kleer*E:
Kleer*E helped create the world that Wall*E is left to clean up – a world where all the forests (and animals and people) are gone, a world where nothing is left but trash and empty boxes. Like Kleer*E, Kimberly-Clark is working to bring you that world, one box of Kleenex — and one forest — at a time.
We need to band together to get the truth out about Kimberly-Clark. Help save the world's ancient forests by sharing the Kleer*E video with as many folks as possible. Please share it as a bulletin then check out the video on Youtube:
The more people who are aware of Kimberly-Clark's destructive business practices and refuse to buy Kleenex, the sooner it will change its ways.
If we stop Kimberly-Clark from destroying any more of the world's ancient forests, we will be able to avoid the treeless world depicted in Wall*E. Untold future generations will surely thank us for giving them hope and a healthy planet to live on.
Last week, Greenpeace activists conducted two amazing non-violent direct actions against Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Kleenex.
For almost four years the Kleercut campaign has been asking Kimberly-Clark (KC) to use recycled material and sustainable forestry to make their disposable products. But for four years KC has continued to knowingly consume ancient forests and destroy vital habitats for many species of wildlife. In fact, over the past four years they've used over a million tons of pulp from Canada's Boreal forest! Its time we said enough is enough!
So just last Thursday, the 14th of August, activists paid a little visit to Kimberly-Clark's World Administrative Headquarters in Knoxville, TN. Here's what went down:
This followed an action on Tuesday, August 12th at KC's corporate campus in Roswell, Georgia where activists snuck a boat onto the premises and used it to occupy the company pond. There they dropped banners and read the Cut & Run report that documents the destructive nature of KC's business. Though the action was a success, there was a slight hitch:
While the boat was deployed, and hundreds of KC employees watched the action from their atrium facing the pond, several more activists distributed fliers onto the cars of K-C execs. The fliers stated that producing tissues out of a limited resource is no longer acceptable or sustainable when products can be made containing recycled content. The fliers also invited K-C employees to ask their employer to be an environmental leader.
As the security was quite tight, six activists were brought to the Roswell Detention Center, but not before the message was delivered loud and clear, thanks to the bullhorns, that K-C needs to change its ways. The activists were tired and hungry by the time they were released from jail, but nonetheless happy and healthy.
Top Ten Reasons Offshore Oil Drilling is a Bad Idea
Hi Friends,
Gas prices have been jumping over and under the $4 mark all summer, your grocery bills are soaring, and campaign ads are blasting you about the benefits of offshore drilling. So what's an average Joe or Jane supposed to believe? Will offshore drilling really make things better for you?
Let me take just a second to review the top 10 reasons offshore drilling is such a bad idea:
10. Offshore oil drilling won't impact gas prices today, and it won't have a significant impact on gas prices in the future.
9. This is nothing more than a money grab by the oil companies - who are already making record-breaking profits.
8. We burn 25% of the world's oil here in the U.S., but we have only 3% of the world's oil reserves. Even if all offshore oil magically came to market today, the vast majority of our oil would continue to be imported, and we wouldn't see price relief at the pump.
7. The current moratorium was put in place decades ago to protect us from the danger of oil spills along our coastlines and beaches.
6. Burning fossil fuels like oil causes global warming, which causes stronger hurricanes, which will threaten the very offshore drilling rigs being proposed, which will contribute to even more global warming.
5. To avoid the worst impacts of global warming, we need to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy within the next 10 years. The billions of dollars that would be spent on offshore oil drilling just postpones the inevitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
4. Oil exploration requires massive seismic testing - which threatens whales and dolphins.
3. Oil prices are set on the global oil market, so American oil is no cheaper than Saudi oil. We won't get a discount for oil drilled in the U.S.
2. We can't solve the world's energy problems with the same drilling that created them.
1. Renewable energy is available now, so it's time to walk away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy future.
Even if we could tap into all of the energy stored in the Earth's reserves - coal, oil, and natural gas - it would equal the energy in just 20 days of sunshine. It's time to invest in renewable energy and leave oil to the dinosaurs. It's time for an energy revolution.
Join Us: Don’t Let Congress Ignore Global Warming!
Hi Friends,
I'm super exited. Next week, I'm joining 200 people from around the country to fill our Congresspersons' offices with a message that they can't ignore. It's not too late to join this important action either. While your Representative is home on break, you have a perfect opportunity to remind them of exactly what's at stake with global warming.
We're all doing our part to stop global warming. Unfortunately our leaders in Washington are not. And time is running out to prevent the worst effects of climate change. Because our Representatives are preparing for their party conventions and the November elections, it is a crucial time to pressure them to step it up and pass scientifically based legislation like the Safe Climate Act.
Congress can help us radically reduce our country's carbon emissions and forge a new economy based on clean, alternative energy. But they're only going to do it if YOU push them.
Here's the idea:
1. I am going to choose a picture of something dear to me that's being threatened by global warming and write a personal message on the back of the picture. If you join us, you could choose a picture of your family, your home, or your favorite vacation destination -- whatever you choose. Right now, I have a photo of myself sledding that I think is perfect.
2. Then, during the week of August the 18th, I will deliver my picture and message with flowers to our Representative's local office while hundreds of others do the same.
Your messages will leave a powerful impression that your Representative will share with colleagues at the upcoming conventions.
These events are designed to be simple. Once you sign up, we'll make sure you have everything you need to make your delivery event a success. Anyone with just a few minutes during the week of August 18th can participate!
Lets make 2009 the year Congress takes action on global warming.
Whenever I look at the news these days there is no bigger issue than the upcoming election. And for good reason, the November election will bring a brand new group of leaders to Washington, which, as far as action on global warming goes, can't be bad.
In fact, I've seen nothing but inaction on global warming over the last eight years. So it's going to be up to these newly elected leaders, especially those in Congress, to turn things around. But they're only going to do it if WE push them. This August, while our Representative is home on break, we have a perfect opportunity to make an impression and do just that.
Here's the idea: activists like you from around the country will visit their Representative's local offices to deliver a personal message about global warming. You'll choose a picture of something dear to you that's being threatened by global warming and write a personal message on the back of the picture. It could be a picture of your family, your home, or your favorite vacation destination - whatever you choose. I'm choosing a picture of a snow-covered mountain in Colorado. Then, deliver your picture and a message with flowers. It's it will really get your Representative's attention! And don't worry, we'll be here to help and provide all the info you need for every step of the way.
Your messages will leave a powerful impression that your Representative will take to the Democratic or Republican convention and share with their colleagues.
Update: We're at 99,446... Keep up the great work!
Hello Friends!
Greenpeace has been defending the planet since 1971. In 2005, Greenpeace began building a community on MySpace that now links us to more than 99,000 new friends. That's almost 100,000 people tuning in and kicking butt for the planet! Every one of you is such an important part of Greenpeace. You've helped create a community of passionate people who have raised awareness of environmental issues, introduced new people to the movement and demanded change from those who continue to threaten the environment. All of Greenpeace cannot thank you enough.
Though these accomplishments are important, there is still more work to be done. The effect of greenhouse gases on our climate is disastrous. Deforestation continues to threaten some of our world's most vibrant ecosystems. Whale hunting and overfishing have depleted our oceans to the verge of collapse. The Earth needs us, so today we are asking you to build our community by recruiting new friends for Greenpeace USA on MySpace.
Let's Take Our Movement to the Next Level! Help Greenpeace USA Reach 100,000 Friends!
Then, until we reach 100,000, re-post Greenpeace USA bulletins, write on your blog, message your friends or even call and ask them to add Greenpeace USA as their friend. Do whatever you can think of to help grow our community!
You Could Become A Top Friend and Receive a Free T-Shirt!
We would love to recognize those of you who get the word out, so we will be making special badges that top recruiters can put on their profile. Also, we will make the one person who recruits the most people a top friend of Greenpeace USA and receive a free t-shirt!
To become a top recruiter, ask your friends to tell you if they have added Greenpeace USA as a friend. Then message us and tell us who you have recruited! Please message us, tell us what you're doing to recruit new friends, how it's going and whom you have recruited. That way we will be able to identify the best recruiters.
Here's a sample letter that you can send to your friends, it includes all the links you'll need:
Hi Friend,
Greenpeace USA has been working for three years to build a community on MySpace. And now they have almost 100,000 friends kicking butt for the environment! I want to help them reach 100,000 by so our community can be an even stronger voice for our fragile Earth. Also, they are going to make the person who recruits the most new friends one of their top friends!
From our climate is in crisis to the plundering of the oceans, the Earth needs our help. Please go add Greenpeace USA as a friend today. When you do, send me a message or comment so I can tell Greenpeace who I have brought into the community and become their number one recruiter!
You might also want to grab the code from the banner on the Greenpeace USA profile, and place it on your profile!
So go forth and spread the word! Don't hesitate to message us and tell us how its going. If you are interested in becoming a top friend and recieving a free t-shirt remember to message us telling us the names of the friends you have recruited. Thank you, we love you!
For the Planet! Chris, Camilla and Ryan, Greenpeace USA
*Our apologies to all our international friends, but we can only send the t-shirt to the top recruiter in the United States.
As many of you know, Greenpeace is not just an organization, but a community of individuals willing to go to great lengths to protect our environment. I first became a part of the Greenpeace (GP) community when I took part in the Greenpeace Organizing Term (GOT) in the Fall of 2006. My group of GOTers is still in touch with each other, so I know that most of them went on teach at Change It! and various other activities. I was always more interested in the actions area of Greenpeace: being part of a group of people who risk legal repercussions to stop environmental wrongs. So I was super excited for the chance to participate in a protest last month supporting Greenpeace's Kleercut Campaign.
Some of you may have heard what went down, but here is a little bit from my point of view. A small group of volunteers headed to Chicago to visit Linda Johnson-Rice, who sits on the board of Kimberly-Clark, parent company of Kleenex, Scott, and Cottenelle. I wanted to communicate to Johnson-Rice that we need her help to change Kimberly-Clark's abysmal environmental record. Since Jonhson-Rice has yet to respond to any of our previous attempts at communication, we decided to make it impossible for her to ignore us by showing up in person and hopefully start a dialouge.
One person delivered a letter to Johnson-Rice's office, while myself and two other volunteers spread out and locked ourselves to the doors of the building to make sure the letter was delivered. Some activists held up banners and gave out information to pedestrians. Not suprisingly, all this commotion led to a call to local police, who were informed that we would only unlock once we were sure the letter had been delivered. Johnson-Rice decided however, that it was best to ignore her sketchy ties rather than confront them directly.
The police were more than polite to us, asking if we really wanted to get arrested and what it was that was so important that it was worth the risk. When we told him that Kimberly-Clark was clear-cutting the Boreal forest in order to make non-recycled Kleenex products, a police officer responded, "But those are our trees…we need them to breathe." Our sentiments exactly! We respected the job the police were asked to do however, and understood when they were forced to arrest us.
The reactions of Johnson-Rice's staff varied. Though many were fuming, some were quite receptive, even going so far as to attempt to sort the whole thing out via a cell call directly to Johnson-Rice. Despite Johnson-Rice's inability to engage us in a dialogue, we know our message was delivered in some form. She now knows that unless she changes the environmental policy of the the companies over which she has so much power, the pressure's just going to keep coming her way.
Update: Junichi and Toru have been released on bail as of late last night! The two activists were set free by a panel of three judges in Aomori, Japan pending their trial. An appeal by the local prosecutor was rejected by the judges, and Junichi and Toru are on their way home to see their families after 26 days in jail. A big "Thank You!" to the more than 250,000 people worldwide who took action on their behalf!
The fight is not over, however, as the investigation into Japan's illegal whaling program was dropped the same day the activists were charged. And, of course, Junichi and Toru must still have their day in court.
Hi Friends,
Here's an important update from Greenpeace's Oceans Campaigner John Hocevar:
It's been 23 days since my colleagues in our Greenpeace Japan office were arrested for exposing a whaling industry scandal. I'm sorry to tell you that today they were both formally charged with theft and trespass.
It's a sad day for all of us at Greenpeace. We're prepared to risk our lives to protect whales, but we didn't expect such a politically- motivated reaction by the Japanese government. In fact, the very same day our activists were arrested, the public prosecutor dropped the investigation into the true crime of embezzlement of whale meat from the Japanese government-sponsored Southern Ocean whaling program.
The outpouring of support for Junichi and Toru has been amazing, and I can't thank you enough for your support. Almost a quarter of a million people have sent letters to the Japanese government calling for their release and demanding a full investigation into the whale meat embezzlement scandal. Protests have been held outside Japanese embassies and consulates in 35 cities across 30 countries.
We all want the same thing: It's time for the Japanese government to end whaling altogether instead of prosecuting peaceful protesters who exposed crimes within the whaling program.
Even though they've been charged, we're not giving up! We're still working hard to get Junichi and Toru out of detention, so if you haven't already written to the Japanese government yet, please take action now! And please, spread the word as far and wide as you can - Junichi and Toru need your support more than ever.
I'll be in touch very soon as events unfold. Please keep Junichi and Toru in your thoughts and be ready to do more to help secure their freedom.
New Kleenex Office Locked Down by Greenpeace Movers
Hi Friends,
This morning Greenpeace activists welcomed employees at Kimberly-Clark's newest outpost today sending a strong message through demonstration and civil disobedience. Posing as movers, activists entered the office with moving boxes full of recycled toilet and tissue paper and urged the staff to sign a document calling on the company to stop destroying one of North America's wildest forests to produce disposable products.
The event is the latest step in an international campaign to force Kimberly-Clark to stop purchasing pulp for its disposable products, including Kleenex, from destructive logging operations in Canada's Boreal Forest.
"Greenpeace is asking Kimberly-Clark to move up to a higher standard of forest protection as they move into a new office," said Greenpeace activist Basil Tsimoyianis. "Greenpeace will continue to directly communicate with Kimberly-Clark at events like this until the company stops using endangered forests such as the Boreal to make disposable products like tissue paper."
Kimberly-Clark is the largest tissue product company in the world. It manufactures the popular Kleenex, Scott and Cottonelle brands of toilet paper and facial tissue. Kimberly-Clark produces millions of tons of tissue products annually and generates net sales of $18.3 billion.
Basil, a Greenpeace volunteer who ran a local Kleercut Campaign, continued, "KC is one of the top tissue manufacturers, they cut down virgin forests, and miscommunicate their environmental practices to consumers. I wanted to open a dialogue with them. Also, this office is new and they are expanding their company; they can afford to expand into sustainable forestry."
"It went real smooth. We pulled up to the new office and started pulling out boxes, we looked like really legit delivery folks. The door was locked but someone came and let us move the boxes inside. We all moved in handing out cloth sacks filled with tree saplings and flyers to employees that read 'Kimberly-Clark can do better.' The KC folks were really confused so three activists began a lockdown and the group revealed that we were Greenpeace. A lot of folks came out of their offices and engaged the activists much more than we expected. But then the cops were called and everyone but the three activists on lockdown and the videographer left. Those 4 were arrested and we're currently waiting for their release."
But we need your help! Kimberly-Clark's contributes to the destruction of ancient forests and has been unwilling to improve its practices, so Greenpeace is stepping up the pressure to tell them that they must change their production process and use recycled content. You can too!
Greenpeace has been defending the planet since 1971. In 2005, Greenpeace began building a community on MySpace that now links us to more than 99,000 new friends. That's almost 100,000 people tuning in and kicking butt for the planet! Every one of you is such an important part of Greenpeace. You've helped create a community of passionate people who have raised awareness of environmental issues, introduced new people to the movement and demanded change from those who continue to threaten the environment. All of Greenpeace cannot thank you enough.
