Greenpeace and Political Globalism

                                           by Paul Wapner

                                         Basic Information

n    Activities of enviromental groups are based on nonstate-oriented politics

n    Nonstate-oriented politics -- people endeavour to direct collective affairs independent of
formal government

n    Transnational environmental groups disseminate worldwide concern for the environment
("ecological sensibility")

                                        Basic Information 2

n    The efforts to extend an ecological sensibility have world political significance

n    The ecological sensibility is response to environmental harm

                                             Greenpeace

n    In 1972, it had only one office in Vancouver, nowadays, it has officies in over thirty
countries

n    It had over 6 million members worlwide in July 1994 (1,000 full-time staff members)

n    It owns eight ships, a helicopter and a hot-air balloon

                                            4 Campaigns

n    Greenpeace divides global environment problems into four issue areas (campaigns):

  n    Toxic substances

  n    Energy and athmosphere

  n    Nuclear issues

  n    Ocean and terrestrial ecology

                               Greenpeace´s Organizational Structure

n    Greenpeace Council

  n    Council consists of representatives from all countries

  n    It decides on organizational policy

n    Executive Board

  n    It is elected by the Greenpeace Council

  n    It ratifies council resolutions and assumes the responsibility when the council is not in
  session

n    Regional Trustees

  n    It serves for final confirmation for Greenpeace´s operation

                               Organizational Structure of Campaigns

n    International coordinators

  n    They are heading of every campaign

n    Project directors

  n    They think out particular subissues

n    Regional and national campaigners

  n    They devise specific activities and adapt them for geographical and political contexts

n    Assistants and volunteers

                                       Greenpeace´s Politics

n    Greenpeace uses the practice of "bearing witness"(a type of political action which links moral
sensitivities with political responsibility)

  n    Direct, nonviolent action and advertising through the media

                                      Greenpeace´s Politics 2

n    Greenpeace catch attention of media by visually spectacular actions and dangerous risks

n    Nowadays Greenpeace has its own media facilities and records its actions by video cameras etc.

                                             Conclusion

n     Dissemination of ecological sensibility is the most important -- because it motivates people to
nature protection

n     Greenpeace practices "bearing witness" and so uses direct, nonviolent action and advertising
through the media

n     Greenpeace also lobbies government officials, organizes protests, carries out scientific
research etc.