Interview with Greenpeace

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns

In 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific, Greenpeace is a campaigning organisation that wants to conserve the environment and to promote peace. In addition, this independant organisation promotes open and informed debate about society's environmental choices. But it does not accept donations from governments or corporations; it relies on contributions from individual supporters and foundation grants. « We exist to expose environmental criminals, and to challenge government and corporations when they fail to live up to their mandate to safeguard our environment and our future.»
Flower Power: Hi Greenpeace! We are the Flower Power team and we would really appreciate interviewing your group. Is it possible?
Greenpeace: Yeah of course!

Flower Power: Thank you!
Greenpeace: How can I help you?

Flower Power: We are three students at the Cégep Lévis-Lauzon and we want to know the activities you do to help the environment.
Greenpeace: Okay, let’s do it!

Flower Power: First of all, we want to know: what’s the principal cause you help the most.
Greenpeace: We don’t only help one cause in particular; we have many solutions for many environmental problems.

Flower Power: What are the causes that interest you? Can you tell us, one by one, about these different projects?
Greenpeace: Yes! First, we want to stop global warming. We put pressure on governments and industries to provoke change.

Flower Power: And what can we do to help you?
Greenpeace: You can become a climate activist

Flower Power: What’s a climate activist?
Greenpeace: It’s someone, like you and me, who’s a leader and wants bring about change in his or her environment and
« Our best chance to take action against global warming is coming up in December, when the nations of the world gather for a UN Climate summit in Copenhagen. »

Flower Power: Oh! It’s a pretty good initiative. Can you tell us about another cause you help?
Greenpeace: We want to eliminate toxic chemicals.

Flower Power: What natural resources are you hoping to save?
Greenpeace: Because of this problem, our rivers, lakes, oceans, air, land and humans are in danger.
Flower Power: Why has there been such an increase in the use of toxic chemicals?
Greenpeace: The reason is because people are hyper comsumers.

Flower Power: Has a serious accident ever arisen in the past?
Greenpeace: Yes, and it caused a dangerous explosion of electronic scrap, called e-waste, containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can’t be disposed of or recycled safely.

Flower Power: How can this problem be avoided?
Greenpeace: By putting pressure on leading electronic companies, it is possible to turn the toxic tide on e-waste.

Flower Power: If we want more information about your group, what can we do?
Greenpeace: You can consult our website, which is really complete and very interesting: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/ .

Flower Power: Thank you so much for your answers! Did you enjoy the interview?
Greenpeace: Oh yes, really! I’m happy to see that young people like you are interested in the environment.

Fishers vs. Cods

In 1992, the number of cod fish decreased drastically in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland; this consequence was the result of overfishing. After realizing this problem, the Canadian government was forced to “take drastic measures and close fisheries,” in particular, the one of the east coast of Newfoundland. More than 40,000 people lost their jobs. If the government hadn’t taken this decision, cod stocks in the ocean could have become extinct. In addition, overfishing affects the ecosystem: some cod that have been fished recently looked strange. “Their backs were arched and their heads were turned down.” They are smaller than before too. Even if measures were taken, people must respect fishing quotas in general.

Sources:

http://archive.greenpeace.org/comms/cbio/cancod.html

http://www.fisherycrisis.com/nscod.htm

industrialized world

The term developed country refers to industrialized countries. In fact, to be considered a developed country , it has to be economically developed. An underdeveloped country suffers from many view point. Mali for example is one of the poorest countries in the world. A few years ago, the cotton industry was one of the biggest commercial enterprises in Mali. Now, industrialization has changed this situation. Big industries have taken over and small countries like Mali have lost their place on the world market. The environmental impacts of industrialization are more serious in underdeveloped countries because they have less resources to change their technology. Natural disasters are often severe( life-threatening) and the government has less money to help people. They have lost a lot of forests and natural resources. This country is suffering from famine, destruction, and displacement of large segments of their populations. The solution that Mali suggests is to change their monoculture. For example, they are trying to export mangoes.

Cars vs. the Environment!