Environmental Organizations Mini Project #1

I recently conducted an internet search of 3 environmental organizations: Greenpeace, National resource Defense Council (NRDC), and Wild Spots Foundation. The purpose of all of them is to change our world in some way. I was very intrigued by the message of all three. Greenpeace and National Resource Defense Council crusade for many of the same causes such as: global warming, saving our oceans, preserving wildlife and forests and attacking issues about toxins. However they do differ a bit in that Greenpeace also addresses the issue of genetic engineering and the NRDC addresses oil and America and the need to accelerate greening in China. As you may have noticed I have yet to discuss the issues addressed by Wildspots. This is in no way to belittle the organizations efforts in their crusade to save different species of animals. It just happens to be that the other issues caught more of my personal attention.



In my research of these 3 environmental organizations I am to make a choice of which I would wish to join. After reading the mission of all three, I immediately narrowed it down to either Greenpeace or the NRDC. After researching and setting aside their like causes, I had to decide on the other areas in which the two organizations differed: genetic engineering (Greenpeace) and America beyond Oil and the Accelaration of China to go green (NRDC). In addition, I am attracted to the fact that (according to their website) Greenpeace does not solicit contributions from government or corporations. Neither will they endorse any political party. Their contributions are from 2.5 million members worlwide (250,000 in the US).



Let's take a look at the areas where the two differ completely:

GREENPEACE

Genetic Engineering

An issue where the government has allowed genetically modified organisms to be released into our food without adequate labeling (according to the Greenpeace website). This process has been a part of many food products such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned soups and frozen dinners.

NRDC

Move America Beyond Oil

Our gasoline habit is a major environmental liability, and is fast becoming an economic and national security risk as well. Burning oil in our cars and trucks releases global warming pollution, toxic air pollutants and makes us dangerously dependent on some of the world's most oppressive regimes. NRDC is pushing for federal legislation to cut oil use, expand the market for fuel-efficient vehicles and to ramp up production of sustainably grown biofuels as an alternative to oil.

Accelerate the Greening of China


China is about to overtake the United States as the world's largest global warming polluter. Its thirst for oil will double by 2010, requiring another Saudi Arabia to meet its needs. Its air pollution is poised to quadruple in 15 years. Up to 40 percent of the toxic mercury in U.S. soil comes from China. And China's soaring demand for timber makes it the world's biggest driver of rainforest destruction. Fortunately, China's leaders recognize this emerging ecological disaster and are inviting outside help to avert it. NRDC is helping China's leadership shift toward sustainable policies that will balance economic and environmental progress.





Both Organizations present very important issues that affect us all and the decision was still a hard one to make for me. So I had to go beyond the issues that they both address and look for other factors that will set one apart from the other. The strawbreaker was the company's website. While the NRDC offers a monthly newsletter, issue highlights and various environmental articles, the Greenpeace site has documentation of actual firsthand victories accomplished by their organization with pictures and videos. This documentation shows the Greenpeace team at work, in action! In addition, Greenpeace has what's called a RSS feed that keeps members informed with updated content constantly. The site also posts annual reports and governance.



Well can you guess? My choice is...........GREENPEACE!!!!!



I AM STILL INTRIGUED BY THE NRDC'S "CHINA GREEN AND AMERICA BEYOND OIL" (ESPECIALLY). HOPEFULLY THESE TWO ISSUES WILL MAKE IT ON THE GREENPEACE LIST IN THE NEAR FUTURE.