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Sadly, all four of our climbers will not be coming back to the Esperanza after all. Jens, Sim, Timo and Matt are flying home to Germany, USA, Finland and Poland respectively. Their personal belongings are still on board and they are going home in spare clothes bought for them by friends in Greenland. I'm sure they'll be glad to see their families again but we're really going to miss them on the ship and we haven't finished our 'Go Beyond Oil' tour yet.
Yesterday we were hoping they would be back on board and Victor even made them a Welcome Home banner. I have sent them all the supportive messages people wrote us over the last few days by email so at least they can read those when they get home. The atmosphere on board feels very mixed. We're feeling pretty down about losing four of our crew who we all became friends with over the last few weeks. But we need to remind ourselves of what we have achieved as we say goodbye to our four heroes today.
Every minute they were up there occupying the rig was another minute Cairn Energy couldn’t drill. We want to stop them sparking an Arctic oil rush. And at the very least we've made it less likely they’ll strike oil this year before the winter weather conditions force them to leave the area.
We shut down drilling by taking action on the high seas, but if dangerous deepwater oil drilling is to be stopped for good then action also needs to be taken in the world's capitals. Our leaders need to take us beyond oil, to invest in clean energy solutions for the sake of the climate and the preservation of pristine environments like the Arctic.
Later this month, environment ministers from countries bordering the North Sea will meet in Norway, where Germany is proposing a moratorium on new deepwater drilling. We're backing Germany's call because we don't want to see another disaster, similar to that in the Gulf of Mexico, happen at new deepwater sites across the world. And we need to go beyond oil to protect our climate.
We are still waiting for our climbers to be released but hoping they will be back on board the Esperanza soon. They are sorely missed - especially Timo's lovely guitar playing in the evenings. Anais is talking about preparing a "Welcome Back!" banner for them and every time the captain or our campaign leader walks past we keep asking "any news?". The answer is still no. Nobody knows exactly when they will be out and perhaps they wont be allowed back to the ship at all.
Sim, Timo, Jens and Matt are truly heroes! I don't think I have ever witnessed such an amazing direct action in all my time with Greenpeace. Timo, Matt, Jens and Sim scaled the oil rig by climbing a structure that looked unclimable to me. When I look at the footage of their ascent - my jaw drops open in amazement. They spent over 40 hours up there - suspended above the churning Arctic waves through freezing winds and periods of loud noise from the thrusters that keep the rig in position. They kept themselves in good spirits throughout the occupation and never complained about the conditions they were in. We're so very proud of them for stopping Cairn's Arctic drilling for so long. They really stopped it for 40 hours - and that's quite an achievement.
While our climbers were on the rig and since they have been arrested - we have received some very touching messages of support from so many people. I've been gathering them today so that I can show the climbers when they're back on board. I thought it would also be nice to share them here (see below) and say thanks to everyone who sent us these messages - and the others I haven't managed to copy yet. It means a lot to us to receive them and I have already printed off several pages of them and passed them around over dinner in the mess. I even saw our chief engineer reading them and watched his face light up with big smiles. And he rarely smiles so this is quite an achievement!
Thank you so much. I'll let you know more news on our heroic Arctic defenders when I have it.
OwenJ92 Aug 31, 11:49pm via Web @gp_espy keep it going! what you're doing is amazing, I've never seen a protest like it! stick to it!
Emmabob3 Aug 31, 11:23am via Twitter for iPhone @gp_espy - Well done for your amazing/brave/inspiring action. You have my total support & best wishes ; )
jonesthelight Aug 31, 11:27am via Web @gp_espy All the very best with that and what a great way to start my day :)
GinniKipper Aug 31, 11:39am via Web @gp_espy Massive congratulations and gratitude for what you are doing for us. I'm still gathering followers on FaceBook :-) wolf_hazel
Aug 31, 11:54am via Web @gp_espy Well done guys for the work on Cairn Energy! Hang in there! I support you and wish you all the best!
r3to Aug 31, 12:10pm via CoTweet @gp_espy Spectacular action!! Well done! Hope you can stop Arctic drilling for good.
patrickolszo Aug 31, 12:21pm via Echofon @gp_espy - this is amazing work - keep going - we are all rooting for you! A global moratorium on oil drilling now #gobeyondoil
givepeasachance Aug 31, 12:36pm via Web @gp_espy Well done to all, we're all cheering you on back home! Keep up the good work guys and gals. Much love and solidarity xx #beyondoil
Lear88 Aug 31, 2:21pm via Web keep up the amazing work in the Arctic @gp_espy. You continuously inspire change - where others would rather take it away. :) #beyondoil
JohnBaldy Aug 31, 3:21pm via Web Follow @gp_espy for an object lesson in both saving the planet and in making a twitter feed exciting. Big up Greenpeace!
kateogden Aug 31, 3:25pm via Web @gp_espy You guys are an inspiration! Stay safe! #beyondoil
mayhew60 Aug 31, 4:05pm via Web @gp_espy I woke up with a smile today. You guys are doing a great job. It is time to send a message that oil is not the future
tennilesunday Aug 31, 4:33pm via Web I effing love greenpeace @gp_espy for working to shut down Cairn Energy's oil rig in the arctic. http://www.gobeyondoil.org
alisonjanehealy Aug 31, 6:28pm via Web @gp_espy Guys, keep up the amazing work. When right is on your side, then many things are possible
iXalapa Aug 31, 6:46pm via Web @gp_espy Great Job!!!! even with the navy behind you do the job !!! we are proud and surprise
Chelspresso Aug 31, 8:15pm via Twitpic @gp_espy http://twitpic.com/2jy774 - Beyond impressive. Keep up the good work, MUCH love and respect.
OwenJ92 Aug 31, 11:49pm via Web @gp_espy keep it going! what you're doing is amazing, I've never seen a protest like it! stick to it!
celiaalario Sep 01, 12:02am via txt Rt @Greenpeace: Wishing our4activists occupying Cairn'sArctic oil rig&everyone onboard @gp_espy a good sleep! http://bit.ly/bys
mariamonica Sep 01, 3:06am via Twitpic @gp_espy http://twitpic.com/2k0d3y - I've no words now that I've seen your courage.I wish I could do something from here. Pls. take care.
350 Sep 01, 11:00am via HootSuite If you're not following Greenpeace's @gp_espy, you're missing a helluva adventure in the fight against #oil in the Arctic.
Emmabob3 Sep 01, 3:27pm via Web @gp_espy- Just thought I'd check in to say well done for stopping the drilling in the arctic for 24 hours. Go go go (but keep safe) ; )
daisystreet Sep 01, 3:31pm via Saezuri @gp_espy : Good morning, Esperanza! Enjoying the updates. Thank you for not only believing, but *doing. Take care. Stay safe. Be wonderf
AshleighF68 Sep 01, 4:25pm via Web @gp_espy you guys are doing so well!! being brave enough to go against what others think! you have my total support :)
Lear88 Sep 01, 5:55pm via Web Hang in there @gp_espy the world is watching in awe. Let's all make a wave. #beyondoil
gotsound Sep 01, 5:55pm via Web @gp_espy For the past week every morning I wake up feeling inspired after reading your live tweets from the arctic. Keep up the battle!
soup1531 Sep 01, 6:05pm via Web @gp_espy Hold strong ya'll. We are all extremely proud of you. I will start collecting beer to feed you when you get back to SF Sim!
Sneakyboots Sep 01, 7:44pm via Web @gp_espy Sim, you lucky dog! I'd give anything to be hanging up there with you right now! Way to go, guys and girls..good on you!!!
engagejoe 6:48am via HootSuite @gp_espy What a beautiful video of Anais. Her Arctic story brilliantly illuminates why I organize locally. http://j.mp/9Z0U
brianfit 9:14am via TweetDeck @gp_espy Sending a virtual cup of piping hot coffee to climbers aboard the Stella Don. ♨ http://bit.ly/bysplt
IanMcL13 11:13am via Web @gp_espy Thanks for your courage and your passion on our behalf
twinkle031 12:11pm via twicca @gp_espy you did so nice things! I live in Korea now but when I grow up, I want to be a big help. keep going!!
Messages to the climbers on Facebook
Abi Ralls: HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sylvia Watson-Stewart: Well done, we're with you in spirit!
Therese Davis: YOU GUYS ROCK! Wish I was there helpin'
Talitha Mcintyre-Burnie: You are my heroes! xx
Tara Wales: So friggen Far Out!!! You guys represent me also, I am disabled, I couldn't do that. So you speak for me also and I thank you all!
Deborah Barrass: Good, brave people.Their actions will be remembered in our uncertain future.
Wende Anne Maunder: Sim - thank you so very much. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the courageous work you are doing. I wish I had a million pounds to help you with your campaign. Bless you! Bless Greenpeace.
Sergio De Benito Navarrete: I'm very proud of all these Greenpeace activists. Thanks to all of you, and please never, never give up. Planet Earth needs more people like you. Greetings from Spain.
Polly Pearshouse: I used to be a climber but not like that! Scary stuff - huge respect for what you're doing - thank you
Jean Loughlin: Yeah...RESPECT GUYS....I couldn't do it!!!
Julie Bird: Love to you all and the deepest respect
Scott McNeil: this is what it takes, bravery and courage and determination, well done greenpeace
Julian Padfield Paddy: Good on you guys wish i was there,.
Jackum Brown: Bravo! Go for it, guys, you all deserve medals
Jo Billups You guys make my day! :)
Christopher Brooks: you're amazing! love your style. With you in spirit
Jackie Taylor: I support u all the way Greenpeace, please take care out there xx
Sue Tait: Sending blessings and light to your vital and wonderful work x
Annastacia Fulcher: Brilliant news and everyone is just amazing for what you are all doing. Thanks for the phone call Lisa letting us know whats going on. I wish you all well and pray for your safety.
Barbara Tencynskaya: Hurrah!! Ignore the mindless critics, GO GREENPEACE! :-D
Brian 'Jones' Smart: Go greenpeace!! Save what is left of this beautiful planet of ours before the big corporations who only care about money ravage it into a unlivable pile of dirt and pollution!!
Dimitri Fache: I admire your courage!
Andrea Liane: totally amazing staying in the Arctic until it get to cold to drill. i am so very impressed with the commitment of everyone aboard You on board deserve mega medals, and thank you from all who care. I no u'll never give up.
Michael Callender: Go guys, the world supports you!!! Wish I could be there.
Rebecca Fowler thank u brave activists, u inspire me daily! NO ARCTIC DRILLING!!
Cathy Monkley: You're all doing an amazing job. I salute you - big hugs all round x
Gemma Dawn: so much respect for all you guys that hung off that rig!!!!
Tom Cohen: hang in there sim hope you have ear plugs sounds pretty loud under there,great anchor points thoughlooks made for you!
Sergio C Buitrón: If you were looking for a hero look no more.
Bonnie Marie Lindsay: SIM~YOU ARE AWESOME!!
Kyra Winn: love your work Sim and friends :)
Gregory Riley Now: THIS is the kind of DIRECT ACTION I pay for!!!
Katharina Dumrath: I hope the activists willl be okay and that there will be no severe repercussions. I understand why the police had to arrest them (they were trespassing), but I pray that they'll have the sense to release them with a slap on the wrist instead of making a huge deal out of it. We already have 2 activists facing prison sentences in Japan- we don't need any more
Sandy Wilson: What a strange world we live in. Those fighting for our planet are arrested whilst those killing it are let free. Good on you guys for putting your life on the line.
Didoo Hydi: You are really amazing guys.. keep on, we'll always support the cause till the end.
Maria Elena: nothing is so much less than 40+ hours
Luis Rivas: drill stopped turning! That's a result! Hope they are out soon :D
Ruth Daw I am glad the four brave activits are fine!
Saskia Morice: You amazing guys have all my support as well as thousands and thousands of other´s everywhere...We are with You! We love you so much for what you are doing in the name of our Mother Earth..Thank You!
Tamari Chi: greenpeace outshines politics and politicians. When the governments should be handling things, it takes special organizations to do their job for them.
Rakesh Prashara: Well done everyone, my thoughts are with the activists in custody. Our future depends on going beyond oil!
Denys Tsutsaev: good job guys!!!Well done!!
Jackey Caldwell: What you are doing today changes all our futures. Hang on in there.
Tim Hatcher: Hang in there guys (literally). All right thinking people of the world are with you.
Jean Loughlin: thank you !!!!!! for what you are doing ....you are doing it for so many people.....Bless you for your bravery!!!
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has published a document called ‘Myths & Facts About Nuclear Energy’. The NEI – ‘the policy organization of the nuclear energy and technologies industry and participates in both the national and global policy-making process’ – describes the document as a collection of ‘Synopses of Common Myths About Nuclear Energy and Corresponding Facts That Refute Them’.
In this series of posts we’re presenting some Corresponding Facts of Our Own That Refute the NEI’s Corresponding Facts.
The ‘Myth’: Nuclear plants can’t be built fast enough.
NEI’s ‘Fact’: In just 19 years, between 1970 and 1989, 105 nuclear energy plants were constructed and put into service in the United States. The current licensing and construction of new nuclear plants will take 8-10 years, which is comparable to similar sized electricity sources. The timeline is expected to shorten to six years or less with licensing and construction experience. Building new nuclear plants will create thousands of non-exportable jobs, help revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector, and positively affect the U.S. economy and the environment.
Let’s face it – when it comes to climate change, we’re in a race against time. Global emissions of climate change gases must peak and fall as soon as possible. Can nuclear power do that and in time?
In a word: No.
The UK Met Office (UKMO) said last year that it would be almost impossible to keep the global temperature rise under 2 degrees centrigrade, unless global carbon emissions peak before 2020. The first few new nuclear reactors the NEI is calling for will only be coming online then (and that’s if things go to the very optimistic plan and any delays are avoided). In other words, those reactors will arrive much too late to fight a battle that needs to be won in the next ten years. Nuclear plants can’t be built fast enough.
And even if we get a massive expansion in nuclear power, its contribution to cutting global carbon emissions is small. The Energy Technology Perspectives 2008 report produced by the International Energy Agency in 2008 shows that, even if existing world nuclear power capacity could be quadrupled by 2050, its share of world energy consumption would still be below 10%. This would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by just 6% compared to the 21% reduction from renewable energy sources and the 54% from various electricity and fuel efficiency measures (see page 41 of the report).
The point is this: we don’t have the time to wait until 2020 or 2050. Safe and clean renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programmes are ready to go right now. As we say in one of our nuclear briefings: Nuclear power is a dangerous waste of time.
Beyond Nuclear: International physicians group calls for ban on uranium mining ‘The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) adopted a resolution at its International Council meeting on Sunday in Basel, Switzerland, calling for a ban on uranium mining and the production of yellowcake (uranium oxide). The resolution described both processes as “irresponsible” and “a grave threat to health and to the environment”. The resolution also describes uranium mining and yellowcake production as a “violation of human rights”. The right to life, liberty and security, to physical integrity, self-determination, the protection of human dignity, the right to clean water are just some of the rights that are afflicted by uranium mining and its processes, say the doctors.’
RTTNews: Japan Imposes Fresh Sanctions On Iran Over Nuclear Program ‘Japan on Friday slapped additional sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, reports said. The latest round of sanctions will freeze assets of Iranian nationals linked to the country's nuclear program. They are also meant to keep a tighter watch over financial transactions of the Islamic Republic. Significantly, Tokyo did not impose any restriction on oil imports from Tehran which account for ten per cent of its total energy requirements. Iran is the fourth-biggest supplier of oil to Japan after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.’
The Economist: Nuclear power? Um, maybe ‘WHEN Angela Merkel cares about an issue she does not give a speech. Instead, she hits the road. Lately Germany’s chancellor has travelled to a wind park in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, a nuclear reactor in Lower Saxony, and an energy-generating house in Hesse. Aiming to draw attention to Germany’s dilemmas in deciding how much and what sort of power to produce and consume in the coming decades, Mrs Merkel will bundle her answers into a comprehensive “energy concept”, to be unveiled at the end of September. This is like coming up with a menu that pleases both carnivores and herbivores. Much of the debate revolves around whether to scrap a plan devised by an earlier government to cease nuclear-power generation by 2022. The decision will affect Mrs Merkel’s political standing and the public finances, as well as Germany’s energy future. With roughly a quarter of generation capacity due to reach retirement age by 2020, decisions made now will shape the energy profile of Europe’s biggest economy for years. There is “a window of opportunity for good changes or for messing up the situation for the next 50 years,” says Olav Hohmeyer, an economist at the University of Flensburg.’
Prague Daily Monitor: Activists criticise Temelín new reactors' EIA study ‘Ceske Budejovice, South Bohemia, Sept 2 (CTK) - The EIA document assessing the impact of the Czech nuclear power plant Temelin's planned two new units suffers from serious shortcomings and should be completed, representatives of four environmentalist organisations told journalists Thursday. The document had been worked out at the request of the state company CEZ, the investor and Temelin's operator, which submitted it to the Enviroment Ministry. The document says nothing prevents Temelin's extension as it would not harm the environment in any way. Edvard Sequens, from the Galla pro-environment group, said the document is at variance with the European legislation and the ministry should return it to CEZ for completion. The document does not mention any alternatives to the planned nuclear reactors, though some do exist in the Czech Republic.’
Barents Observer: Fire at radioactive waste storage ‘A fire at a shipyard on the Kola Peninsula involved in scrapping of radioactive waste might have led to increased levels of radiation. The accident occurred last Friday. Norway was not informed. The fire broke out on August 27 at shipyard no 10 in Aleksandrovsk, formerly known as Polyarny, and it took two hours to locate where the fire had started, newspaper Novaya Gazeta reports. Nobody was hurt in fire, which ruined a terminal between the shops for sorting and scrapping of radioactive containers. Shipyard no 10 belongs to the Ministry of Defense. The plant is involved in an international program for sorting and scrapping of nuclear waste, and is the only company in Northern Russian to do such work.’
This morning, as we were preparing the ship for the next leg of our journey, we got the news that another oil rig, the Vermillion 380, has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, risking the lives of at least 13 workers who were rescued from the site.
Right now, the Arctic Sunrise is docked in St. Petersburg, restocking supplies and preparing to head back out into the Gulf for the second leg of our three-month long research tour of the Gulf. Our science coordinator has been sorting out the last minute details with the scientists, our cook is restocking the kitchen, and the deck crew has been getting the ship in the best possible shape for the next part of our journey. In the past month, we’ve settled into a good, productive rhythm of work, as the crew managed the logistics for plankton tows, diving, whale watching, and more. Some of the results of what we’re doing right now won’t be available for months, but we all know that it’s important to be producing independent science now, so that we can help shape the policies for the future.
But meanwhile, in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, the oil industry hasn’t been waiting for the science that will tell us just what we’ve lost, the true nature of the impact on the many forms of marine life in these waters. Offshore drilling hasn’t stopped, and today's disaster won't be the only one.
We’ve all been talking about the BP Deepwater Disaster as a wakeup call, which is why it feels particularly chilling, and a little bit scary, to be reminded that as we’re measuring what we’ve lost, the oil industry is still doing business as usual. In the past ten years, 69 people have died on offshore rigs, and there have been 858 fires and explosions, according to the Mineral Management Service. It’s not insignificant, and it’s not stopping. Despite the rhetoric and the promises from the administration, we’re still drilling offshore, and every day we risk another disaster.
There’s much work to be done to change the policies that guide our energy use—some immediate, and some slow. But as we assess the impact, and study the scope of the disaster, as we measure the irreplaceable things that we have lost, and as we reach out to the policymakers who will determine our future, we should remember that this is also an urgent situation with an unacceptable level of risk. We must all broadcast that urgency loud and clear. How many more wake up calls do we need?
This will be the first blog Toru and I have written together, as up until recently our heavy bail restrictions have meant that we could not be in the same room or even talk to each other without a lawyer present.
The verdict in our trial is approaching, and on Monday September 6 we will know what our fate is. We don't really know what the result would be, all we know now is that it is going to show the status of Japanese democracy. It’s a long way from where it was when this case started – our investigation to end Japan’s whaling.
In early 2008, following tip offs from a whistleblower and a four-month investigation into the embezzlement of whale meat by the crew of the Japan’s whaling fleet, we were closing in on evidence that could finally end this whaling programme.
Annual protest actions in the Southern Ocean have raised awareness and created international outcry about this destructive and completely unnecessary hunt, however, it was clear that the only place Japanese whaling would ever be ended was at home in Japan. When we intercepted a box of embezzled whale meat, we knew we finally had the evidence to prove the corrupt nature of the industry and shut it down by bringing an end to its huge taxpayer subsidies.
We knew the industry would not go quietly, we didn’t expect the harsh reaction that was to come.
At the start the media strongly covered the embezzlement scandal, and asked serious questions about the industry for the first time. However, one month after we exposed the large-scale theft of whale meat and embarrassed the authorities, they struck back, and had us arrested, interrogated, detained for 26 days and finally charged with “theft” and “trespass”.
The media were tipped off about our arrest and the raids of our homes, so when the images of our arrest appeared on national television the embezzlement scandal was dismissed and we were immediately seen as criminals by the public.
This has been our image for the last two years – until now.
In the last week alone we have seen three hugely positive articles appear in major newspapers around Japan. All of them detailed our trial and the flimsy, contradictory nature of the prosecution case against us, discussed the embezzlement and the rights of NGOs to expose wrongdoing, asked serious questions about human rights in Japan, and, finally, seriously questioned the legitimacy of the whaling programme.
We have come full circle and for the first time since the embezzlement scandal broke there is serious, positive discussion about the legitimacy of the whaling programme, and for once the arguments are not based on Fisheries Agency propaganda. Japanese society has changed and we are finding support wherever we turn.
On Monday the judges will hand down their verdict, and we are very much looking forward to it. We have proved our case, and anyone who looks at the facts with a clear mind can see that we should be acquitted, and that the official case simply does not stand up to even the most basic questioning.
That said, given Japan’s harsh 99.8% conviction rate, we understand that our chance of a good result is low, so while we are optimistic that we have advanced civil society and put whaling on trial both in court and in the media, we are also anxious about our fate.
Our families and friends are with us all the way. They can only accept an acquittal as they know we have committed no crime. They want us to fight as hard as we can, and were very happy to see the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s support for our case, but there is a definite feeling that our argument is ten years ahead of Japanese society. This has been a difficult few years, and our actions have come at great personal cost, but we have to win for ourselves, for whales, for Greenpeace and for Japanese society.
We believe that this verdict is going to be a landmark for Japanese society. Aomori District court is being forced to make decisions in front of both the domestic and international audience whether Japan is ready to be a true democratic society, a society where citizens have the right to speak up in the public interests - or not.
Everyone we know is with us, and we could not have gotten this far without their and your support. We have finally kick-started the discussion about whaling, activism and civil rights that Japan desperately needs to have. Whatever happens on Monday, we know in our hearts that we did the right thing, and sooner or later, we will win this fight.
When the German Minister of Economics and Technology recently endorsed a Genetically Engineered (GE) potato, he said "no" to public opinion, "no" to the health and safety concerns of scientists, "no" to biodiversity, "no" to farmers' livelihoods and "no" to German food security.
The only things he said "yes" to were the demands of the potato's owners, the chemical giant BASF.
The minister, Rainer Brüderle, participated in a media event on Monday (31st August) organised by BASF to harvest the antiobiotic-resistant potato known as Amflora.
77% of the German public is against the cultivation of the Amflora, which BASF has been trying to commercialise for 14 years.
But the company finally found two allies in the European Commission, President Barroso and Commissioner Dalli, who were willing to ignore scientific evidence and European legal requirements (along with the majority of European citizens) to give the spurious spud a green light.
The BASF potato was altered to include a gene which conveys resistance to antibiotics. And not just any antibiotics, but ones defined by the World Health Organisation as being of 'critical importance:' vital to fighting tuberculosis and other deadly diseases. Using genes that may affect human health and the environment is not supposed to be permitted under EU law. But let's not let a little thing like law stand in the way of corporate profit, shall we?
The genetically altered potato, which is intended for use as industrial starch, in animal feed and in fertilisers, will invevitably end up directly on our dinner tables through genetic contamination and leave a bad taste in everybody's mouth. The company admits that contamination is inevitable, that's the reason they requested and obtained authorisation to contaminate the food chain as well.
Until this case is heard, we need to act. Avaaz and Greenpeace, under the Lisbon Treaty EU Citizens' Initiative, are collecting one million signatures calling for a moratorium on GE crops - we've got 700,000 signatures so far.
This year Amfora is being cultivated in 3 countries -- Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic - to create more seeds for wider cultivation.
Severe weather has forced activists to end their occupation of the Stena Don oil rig in the Arctic last night: after two days of hanging some 15 meters above the frigid Arctic waters and forcing the rigs operators, Cairn Energy, to suspend drilling, the activists are now safe and under arrest.
Yesterday, Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg about the social network's coal use. The full letter was posted on this blog, and in the blog's comments section a Facebook representative wrote an interesting response.
Here is Greenpeace policy analyst Gary Cook's reply:
Dear Barry:
Thanks for your response.
We appreciate your recognition that Facebook has a coal problem with its Oregon data center. However, where we disagree is your claim to be powerless to do anything about it as, like Greenpeace and others, Facebook simply has to buy whatever electricity is available. This is not the case for Greenpeace, and is certainly not the case for Facebook, who is an industrial scale consumer of electricity.
As evidenced by the 500,000 users who have asked Facebook to get off of coal, we expect and demand more leadership from such an innovative company that is a playing an important role in bringing the world together.
Facebook is buying electricity in bulk to meet the needs of 500 million+ users, and is becoming a very influential company both inside and outside the IT sector. The expected power consumption of the Oregon data center alone gives Facebook the purchasing power of 30,000-40,000 homes, which gives you the ability and standing to shape how power is generated in Oregon and far beyond.
As we have seen with other environmental challenges, motivated companies with big purchasing power can make a powerful difference in driving environmental solutions and policy change. Greenpeace’s recent campaign targeting Nestlé (using Facebook no less) over their purchase of palm oil that is destroying the rainforest in Indonesia led the company to change its procurement policy, and has now led Burger King to announce yesterday that they will no longer buy palm oil from this supplier. This is sending a powerful signal both to the marketplace and to the policy makers in Indonesia and well beyond.
Facebook must take responsibility for the significant impact its investment decisions on the location of its own datacenters and the source of electricity that is supplying both its own and those facilities it is renting can have. Efficiency is certainly important, but is only the beginning of taking responsibility for your rapidly growing energy and environmental footprint.
Google, Yahoo and others in the IT sector already understand that while efficiency is important, it is not the whole story. Given the rapid growth in the IT sector, they recognize the source of electricity is also an increasingly important consideration, that they have a responsibility and an important role to play, and are significantly increasing the amount of renewable electricity they are purchasing.
Ultimately, we need Facebook to work with Greenpeace and others in Oregon and elsewhere to push for the policy changes that will rapidly move us off of coal and toward renewable sources of energy.
The world’s top climate scientists tell us that we have as little as 5 years to stabilize global warming pollution globally, which means that we must move off of coal as rapidly as possible. As was highlighted in Greenpeace’s Make IT Green Report, at current growth rates, data centers and telecommunication networks that make up the cloud will consume more than the current electricity consumption of France, Germany, Canada and Brazil combined by 2020. Given this projected growth of energy use, it is essential that Facebook and others in the IT sector show leadership in driving a transformation in our production and use of electricity.
As was recently shown in Portugal, whose electricity grid recently underwent a transformation from 15% to 45% renewable sources in the span of five years, a rapid increase in clean energy is not only possible, it is good for the local economy. The IT sector itself has identified it has an important role in this transformation, estimating its ability to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions globally 15% by 2020, and Greenpeace is challenging the sector to use their innovation and influence to overcome the opposition of powerful utilities like Pacific Corp and the fossil fuel industry who are slowing this transition down, if not blocking it outright. We need Facebook to stand with us and others to make this transition happen, and happen soon.
We look forward to working with Facebook to help it and the rest of the world off of coal and to more renewables sources of energy as rapidly as possible.
U.S. urges China to play greater role in pressuring N. Korea for 6-way talks: State Dept. ‘WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- The United States Wednesday called on China to exert more influence in urging North Korea to foster the atmosphere to resume six-party talks on its denuclearization. "China has a special and leading role to play in trying to push North Korea to be a more constructive player in this process," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. "China has a special responsibility. It has been a leader within the six-party process. We will look to China to demonstrate leadership going forward. China has had recent high-level meetings with the North Koreans." Crowley was referring to last week's meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Chinese President Hu Jintao, the second in three months. Kim reportedly made the surprise trip to northeastern China to pave the way for a smooth power transition to his youngest son. The North leader's heir apparent, Jong-un, 27, is believed to have accompanied his father to China. Beijing officials neither confirmed nor denied Jong-un made the trip, just saying he was not on the list of official delegates. During the meeting, Kim Jong-il reiterated his denuclearization pledge and called for early resumption of the six-party talks, according to Chinese state-run media. Emerging from a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, Chinese chief nuclear envoy Wu Dawei told reporters, "Six-party talks are an important way to maintain peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula."’
iStockAnalyst: China formulating Administrative Regulations for Nuclear Power Industry ‘BEIJING, Sep. 2, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- China is formulating Administrative Regulations for Nuclear Power Industry, and likely to submit it to the State Council for approval before the end of 2010, disclosed a source from the National Energy Administration. The Regulations will focus on the construction planning of nuclear power stations, obligations of nuclear power developers, supervision of nuclear power stations and so on. The threshold for nuclear power industry would not be lowered down in short term, noted the source.’
China Knowledge: CNNC, China-Africa Dev't Fund to develop uranium in Africa ‘Sep. 2, 2010 (China Knowledge) - China National Nuclear Corp, the nation's largest nuclear power plant builder, yesterday said that its subsidiary China Uranium Crop has singed an agreement with China-Africa Development Fund to jointly develop uranium resources in Africa, sources reported. In a statement posted on its website, CNNC said that both parties will set up a joint venture in Beijing to invest in and develop uranium resources in Africa. The agreement is part of CNNC's efforts to secure raw materials for nuclear reactors. Reportedly, China is stepping out efforts to develop the substitutes of carbon-based fuel and it plans to build more nuclear reactors in the country. A CNNC executive had said later last year that the company was involved in six uranium mines in Jordan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Algeria. CNNC is parent of Hong Kong-listed CNNC International Ltd.’
The Japan Times: Rokkasho plant faces two-year delay ‘AOMORI (Kyodo) Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. is making arrangements to postpone by roughly two years the completion of a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the village of Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, due to a series of troubles during test operations, sources said Wednesday. The plant, designed to extract uranium and plutonium from the nuclear fuel spent at power plants in the country, has been in the stage of what the operator calls the Final Commissioning Test and its construction is currently expected to be completed in October.’
Financial Times: Rosatom launches global charm offensive ‘Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned atomic power corporation, has launched an international charm offensive as the country’s most secretive and controversial industry attempts to come in from the cold. In a rare meeting with foreign media last week, Sergei Kiriyenko, a former Russian prime minister and now president of Rosatom, outlined plans for the company to become a leading international player as nuclear power enjoys a surge in demand. “We want to double in size,” he told reporters in Toronto. Like the Gazprom and Russian Railways monopolies, Rosatom is a former ministry, converted into a state corporation in 2007. If the Kremlin achieves its ambitions, Rosatom could become to global nuclear power what Gazprom is to the natural gas industry. But as it looks outwards, Rosatom is burdened by the forbidding legacy of its Soviet past, including the catastrophic Chernobyl accident that cast a pall on the nuclear power industry for 20 years. More recently, Rosatom’s partnership with Iran at the Bushehr nuclear power plant has also provoked US antagonism. Mr Kiriyenko admitted that Russia’s reputation in nuclear power was “not the best”, and described steps taken to improve transparency, including the separation of civil and military aspects of the business and a new law allowing foreign investment.’
This morning, as we were preparing the ship for the next leg of our journey, we got the news that another oil rig, 
When the German Minister of Economics and Technology recently endorsed a Genetically Engineered (GE) potato, he said "no" to public opinion, "no" to the health and safety concerns of scientists, "no" to biodiversity, "no" to farmers' livelihoods and "no" to German food security. 
