Instructions for the Project:
To conduct an internet search to determine which of the three environmental organizations namely Greenpeace, Natural Resource Defense Council and Wild Spots Foundation I wish to join. At the same time the mission of each organization must be analyzed after which I get to state my reasons for joining a particular one.
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“As I celebrated what was right with the world, I began to build a vision of possibility, not scarcity. Possibility... always another right answer.” - Dewitt Jones
Greenpeace Mission Analysis:
Greenpeace is a world renowned environmental organization so much so that the organization has even become a part of popular culture where there has been mention of them in movies.
The organization was formed in 1971 and is now present in more than thirty countries. Within that time to now, Greenpeace has claimed responsibility for banning commercial whaling, convincing the world’s leaders to stop nuclear testing, protecting Antarctica, and many other issues.
Upon perusing and analyzing Greenpeace’s mission statement, my interpretation is that the organization has aspirations of saving the environment by addressing several issues such as global warming and climate change. Greenpeace also claims to be the forward thinking leaders for energy conservation as well as creating disruption within related industries to propel their cause.
Preserving oceanic life is another concern whereby their intention is to expose excessive fishing with intention to destroy sea-life. They are also keen on defending and conserving what’s left of ancient forest and all dependant inhabitants whether it be human, flora and fauna or animals who solely rely on it.
Minimizing dependent behavior on limited resources is also on the top of their list with the intention of breaking down authoritative forces that may be in the way of preventing Greenpeace’s cause.
Another topic that is addressed in their mission statement is the prevention of products with toxic and harmful chemicals produced by manufacturers. Greenpeace has also made proclamation of producing a “toxic free future” and supporting responsible farming and agricultural activity.
Although Greenpeace’s mission seems to be of good intentions, I will not join this particular organization because of Greenpeace’s alarming extremist behavior.
Numerous records have shown that there have been violent political actions which have occurred with the intent to intimidate others.
An example of such instances was in August 2008 when a Greenpeace ship dropped 150 2-3 ton rocks into the North Sea in an attempt to stop trawling. This was because Greenpeace demanded that Germany and the EU execute a plan to ban heavy net bottom trawling in the protected area. German fishermen said that the rocks can damage boats therefore threatening the lives of fishermen.
Upon further scrutiny of their mission statement, I note the actual use of empowering (and at times intimidating) words such as “disarmament”, protecting” and “defending”.
It is plainly stated on Greenpeace’s website under the “About Us” page that on their first quest to protest U.S Nuclear testing off the Coast of Alaska that “….a brave act of defiance: to place themselves in harm’s way. Despite being intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard…” was an act to be apparently proud of.
I beg to differ as this act of supposed ‘martyrdom’ showed up to me as the organization’s willingness to place its fellow members (and anyone in their way for that matter) under hazardous even life threatening risks.
Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) Mission Analysis:
NRDC who was founded in 1970, in their mission statement it is written that its purpose is to protect the earth, humanity, animals, eco-systems and natural areas that are at risk of scarcity.
I also understood the fact that NRDC is focused on redeeming humanity’s position on past damages done to nature by becoming practicing guardians of good ethical values in the interest of the environment.
NDRC also seems to place emphasis on looking after the interest of mankind by preserving nature and its elements which will in turn have a long term effect of benefiting the human race and future generations.
The NRDC has covered all divisions of society including the voice of minority races who should play a part in the decision making but are socially and economically challenged and may not have the resources to voice their concerns.
It also seems that a substantial amount of NRDC’s attention is placed on the welfare and well-being of all mankind and its environment by conserving and possibly renewing a new alternative lifestyle as opposed to the way we live today. The intended results for such change is a clean and healthy tomorrow for generations to come.
Ultimately, although NDRC has addressed issues such as environmental racism, promoting environmental justice, and is more personable in its approach, I am choosing not to join this organization.
NDRC’s mission statement strongly emphasizes on a “new” approach to life for future generations and looking after the welfare of socially and economically challenged groups in society, however I view their approach as unrealistic. My reasoning behind this is that there is no commitment in NRDC’S mission statement which takes responsibility for the education of members of society who may not have the means nor the knowledge to do so themselves.
Furthermore I believe that strategically placing eco-education as a priority within this generation and future generations will help immensely in any organization’s mission for the preservation of the earth and its inhabitants. I strongly believe that behavior breeds behavior therefore eco-education should be mainstream if we truly want change.
Wildspots Foundation Mission Statement Analysis:
As I read and analyze the details of the mission statement for Wildspots Foundation, although brief, it speaks about it’s commitment to support and preserve all aspects of life on earth known as biodiversity through educating, sharing arts, science, technology and promoting eco-tourism. The foundation plans to do this not only by taking informative action but also teaching responsibility by instilling a sense of governance and service toward our environment that will in turn protect the earth’s biodiversity in the long run.
Therefore if responsibility and fellowship with the earth is embraced then the rewards for future generations would be (a closer step to) self fulfillment as our physical, spiritual and creative wellbeing would be fulfilled.
Upon further perusal of the website it truly does focus on the education of its members and volunteers on biodiversity and its affects. It encourages hands on experiences by making available to all members of society - life altering opportunities, expeditions, workshops and even travel to unique parts of the world in order to promote knowledge on the importance of biodiversity and self- growth.
There also seems to be a high academia presence as well as a welcoming spirit to anyone who accesses the Wildspots website. This gives me a feeling that I too can make a difference !
In conclusion I would choose to join Wildspots because I believe that the most successful way to be enlightened and become a catalyst for the protection of biodiversity is through an educated mind.
I also believe that because Wildspots Foundation focuses on deep ecology thinking on all facets of the human being, (that is physical, spiritual and artistic) this organization has inevitably manifested itself as having a well-rounded foundation which goes beyond the expectations of what traditional society expects and is headed for great results.
References
http://www.celebratetraining.com/
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/about
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/about/greenpeace-victories
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns
http://www.nrdc.org/
http://www.nrdc.org/about/
http://www.nrdc.org/greenbusiness/
http://www.nrdc.org/policy/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenpeace
http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/moreaboutwsf.html
http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/archives.html
http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/index.html
http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/gallery.html
http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/join.html
Bibliography
Environmental Studies, Barry Barker, Second Edition
About Me
Flora indignous to Trinidad and Tobago
Turtle
Charlotteville Beach - Tobago
Pink Flamingos
Friendly Iguana
5 comments:
Very good......
I definitely agree with your thoughts on Greenpeace, the organization does seem "extremist". Most of the things I've seen on TV tends to support this image... and what an idiotic idea to dump huge rocks in the North Sea; doesn't that harm the ecosystem and life on the sea floor?? I guess they'll do ANYTHING to get their message across. (not good)
Even though greenpeace seems a little extremist, sometimes going to extremes is the only way to address actions that threaten the environment, our ego is too big to see the harm we are doing to our planet and to ourselves on the long run, I strongly recomend a film called "sharkwater" where you can see that going the nice way doesn really work when dealing with poachers or illegal fishing. Other than that great job sarah!!!
While I agree that groups such as Greenpeace are ‘radical’ in their sentiment as well their actions, I wish that your criticism would have taken a less dismissive tone. Those who participate in such an organization clearly believe that the cause is bigger than themselves, as individuals, or any others for that matter. I’m not saying that I agree with their tactics but a more critical exploration as to why devoting one’s actions to something larger than one’s self as undesirable would have been appreciated and should be respected to some extent. What’s more, why does Greenpeace take such drastic action? Greenpeace has a reputation for big, illustrative demonstrations – why do you think that is? How would such means be justified by those who practice them? And are we not a culture in which the means are justified by the end? If Greenpeace works to their end – the survival of our endangered planet, then could it be argued (perhaps retrospectively) that such actions were justified?
Let me preface this next comment with the fact that I am unfamiliar with the NDRC and their approach. But what strikes me here is your criticism of a new approach and the group’s desire to defend (and aid) socially and economically challenged groups. Generally, in the world of environmental activism, such groups are the indigenous people that have been stewards of their respective environments for generations and now find themselves marginalized and pressured toward “modernity”. Their knowledge is passed through their culture – in most cases, eco stewardship is incorporated into their world view. With colonialism – and various forms thereof that have carried on through today – these people’s world views and practices have been seen as uncivilized, they have been cast as “other” and as a result, their world view – that world view that did so well to take care of the very environment that provided for them – has been compromised. To work toward protecting such people is to restore a built-in stewardship that preexists our now trendy “save mother earth” mentality in North America. In many parts of the world – yes, far reaching – what the NDRC seeks to do can hardly be seen as unrealistic. And who are we to “teach” such people how to “be” in their respective environments?
But like I said, I know little of the NDRC – if we’re confining such ideas to North America, than absolutely we ought to work toward an integrated eco-education before we can consider a different future than the one than is presently before us.
What kind of informative action does Wildspots take? You do realize that the organization that you’ve chosen to “join” is the one to which you have given the least detail Miss. I don’t really have a sense for Wildspots. Perhaps you could compare and contrast it with Greenpeace and/or the NDRC to give the reader a clearer understanding as to why you think their approach is more “well rounded.” Also, I think a more thorough definition of deep ecology might have been helpful.
All that said lady, fantastic job! How wonderful for us to learn about all this through your hard work! (Sorry I’m so bloody critical – it’s my way on such issues you know.)
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