So I’m sittin’ around on Facebook, when I see a Greenpeace update. Something about a new campaign that they’re doing, or whatever. Now, I like Greenpeace, and so does Sea Shepherd (remember that Paul Watson was a co-founder of the organization!), so I like to applaud them when possible. But to be fair, I’m cranky at Greenpeace right now. It’s the whaling season; despite having an ice-ready vessel (the MV Esperanza) built especially for conditions just like those encountered in the Southern Ocean, and despite accruing $40million USD in revenue for their anti-whaling campaigns in 2011, Greenpeace is nowhere to be seen in the Southern Ocean.
So, on a whim, without thinking about it, I decided to comment and share some of Sea Shepherd’s side of the story (referencing Greenpeace’s continued inaction, their constant shaming of Sea Shepherd’s action, and their taking credit for Sea Shepherd’s victory at the end of last year’s whaling season). I said this:
And I was done! I said my piece, and got off the net. I come back later to find a shocker! Greenpeace USA actually responded to me, by name. Here’s their response:
I was quite chuffed! I’m just a lil ol’ person on the internet, and I didn’t mean to make such a fuss. But apparently, an employee of Greenpeace thought my measly, poorly planned, on-a-whim comment was so critical, that it needed of an official, public response. Is Greenpeace telling the truth here? Well, yes and no.
Firstly, let’s straighten this up. Greenpeace’s teams in Japan have discovered that Tsunami Relief Funds were being used to subsidize Japanese whaling. This is a fact. It’s funny, though, since when Sea Shepherd used these facts from our allies in Greenpeace in our weekly news report, Sea Shepherd was publicly shamed by Executive-Director of Greenpeace Japan, Junichi Sato, on SkyTV.
But excuse me, we’re dealing with facts. Yes, Greenpeace learned that. And I don’t doubt most of their other claims in response to me as well. Greenpeace is a great organization, and one to be supported. However, while their actions are brave, and bold, there are some problems here. Their activity inside and outside of Japan is critical, but this doesn’t stop the whalers. Every year Greenpeace has campaigned against whaling, whales have died. Fact. Furthermore, every years that whales were being killed, the only organization defending the whales in the Southern Ocean every year was Sea Shepherd. Fact.
Another fact: last year, Greenpeace used their fundraising campaigns to get over $40mil USD for anti-whaling. Where did all that money go? Furthermore, most of you know that Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians have been working hard in Taiji for many years, along with Ric O’Barry’s team (http://www.savejapandolphins.org/), protesting the violent slaying of dolphins in The Cove. Greenpeace has never once joined us.
Here was my response to Greenpeace USA:
I admit, I was trolling a little. But the facts don’t lie. Greenpeace is a fantastic organization, but they have not been saving dolphins in Taiji. Greenpeace are ardent conservationists, but they have not risked their lives to defend whales in the Southern Ocean. Sea Shepherd is doing all that and more. Greenpeace refuses to acknowledge Sea Shepherd, as we are not a reputable organization, by their fine standards. Their loss.
Every dollar you put toward Sea Shepherd is used to save an animal, not to bolster a corporate bureaucracy. When Sea Shepherd is no longer needed, we will stop asking for your money. Until then, we will stand strong in the face of those whom seek to do harm against our ecosystem.
Video of dolphins being captured, Taiji, Japan - Jan 26th
The Big Green Do-Nothing (Paul Watson Commentary)
Greenpeace Should Address… (SSCS News)
Greenpeace takes credit for Sea Shepherd victory
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