Source: google images
Today is Greenpeace Day in Vancouver. When one conjures up a picture of the scenario, 40 years ago, when the notion of the Greenpeace movement was first imagined, a picture of peace loving, marijuana-smoking, alternative-thinking hippies sitting around a living room, dreaming of the perfect Utopian world comes to mind. Greenpeace was envisioned as an ideal forum for discussion and action around a milieu of social, political, and environmental issues. Ultimately, Greenpeace has been both a victim and champion of its success. While being acknowledged as the, “largest independent environmental organization on the planet,” (Province Newspaper, September 15/11), it has faced the ultimate in ethical dilemmas. The very dream and mandate of the initial movement is seemingly at odds with its achievements. Realizing its goals in the environmental arena and staying true to its simple roots, seems somehow contradictory and inconsistent with the multi-national organization it has become. With its sometimes controversial tactics and business practices, Greenpeace has had to meet the challenges faced by playing in “big business”. To survive and flourish in the corporate world seems somehow traitorous to those who first sat in that living room 40 years ago. Addressing this delicate balance is the ultimate ethical challenge facing Greenpeace. Business or environmental success – can both coexist peacefully?
Follow link to Greenpeace – Inspiring Action
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