alternatives energy sources
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:56 amEnergy is the ability to do work. While energy surrounds us in all aspects of life, the ability to harness it and use it for constructive ends as enconomically as possible is the challenge before mankind. Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. The renewed interest in this field of study comes from the undesirable effects of pollution (as witnessed today) both from burning fossil fuels and from nuclear waste byproducts. Fortunately there are many means of harnessing energy which have less damaging impacts on our environment. Here are some possible alternatives:
Solar
Wind Power
Geothermal
Tides
Hydroelectric
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organisation[1] with offices in over 42 countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[2] Greenpeace states its goal is to "ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity".[3] Greenpeace uses direct action, lobbying and research to achieve its goals. The global organisation does not accept funding from governments, corporations or political parties, relying on more than 2.8 million individual supporters and foundation grants.[4][5]
Greenpeace evolved from the peace movement and anti-nuclear protests in Vancouver, British Columbia in the early 1970s. On September 15, 1971, the newly founded Don't Make a Wave Committee sent a chartered ship, Phyllis Cormack, renamed Greenpeace for the protest, from Vancouver to oppose United States testing of nuclear devices in Amchitka, Alaska. The Don't Make a Wave Committee subsequently adopted the name Greenpeace.[6]
In a few years Greenpeace spread to several countries and started to campaign on other environmental issues such as commercial whaling and toxic waste. In the late 1970s the different regional Greenpeace groups formed Greenpeace International to oversee the goals and operations of the regional organisations globally.[7] Greenpeace received international attention during the 80s when the French intelligence agency bombed the Rainbow Warrior, one of the most well-known vessels operated by Greenpeace, killing one.[8] In the following years Greenpeace evolved into one of the largest environmental organisations in the world.[9][10]
Today Greenpeace focuses on world wide issues such as global warming, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling and nuclear power. Greenpeace is known for its direct actions[11][12] and has been described as the most visible environmental organization in the world.[13][14] Campaigns of Greenpeace have raised environmental issues to public knowledge[15][16][17] and influenced both the private and the public sector[18][19] but Greenpeace has also been a source of controversy[20]. Its motives and methods have received criticism[21][22] and the organization's direct actions have sparked legal actions against Greenpeace activists.[23][24]
Priorities and campaigns
On its official website, Greenpeace defines its mission as the following:
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by:
Catalysing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change.
Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful and destructive fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves.
Protecting the world’s remaining ancient forests which are depended on by many animals, plants and people.
Working for disarmament and peace by reducing dependence on finite resources and calling for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
Creating a toxic free future with safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in today's products and manufacturing.
Campaigning for sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.
—Greenpeace International, Who we are
[edit] Climate
Solar
Wind Power
Geothermal
Tides
Hydroelectric
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organisation[1] with offices in over 42 countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[2] Greenpeace states its goal is to "ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity".[3] Greenpeace uses direct action, lobbying and research to achieve its goals. The global organisation does not accept funding from governments, corporations or political parties, relying on more than 2.8 million individual supporters and foundation grants.[4][5]
Greenpeace evolved from the peace movement and anti-nuclear protests in Vancouver, British Columbia in the early 1970s. On September 15, 1971, the newly founded Don't Make a Wave Committee sent a chartered ship, Phyllis Cormack, renamed Greenpeace for the protest, from Vancouver to oppose United States testing of nuclear devices in Amchitka, Alaska. The Don't Make a Wave Committee subsequently adopted the name Greenpeace.[6]
In a few years Greenpeace spread to several countries and started to campaign on other environmental issues such as commercial whaling and toxic waste. In the late 1970s the different regional Greenpeace groups formed Greenpeace International to oversee the goals and operations of the regional organisations globally.[7] Greenpeace received international attention during the 80s when the French intelligence agency bombed the Rainbow Warrior, one of the most well-known vessels operated by Greenpeace, killing one.[8] In the following years Greenpeace evolved into one of the largest environmental organisations in the world.[9][10]
Today Greenpeace focuses on world wide issues such as global warming, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling and nuclear power. Greenpeace is known for its direct actions[11][12] and has been described as the most visible environmental organization in the world.[13][14] Campaigns of Greenpeace have raised environmental issues to public knowledge[15][16][17] and influenced both the private and the public sector[18][19] but Greenpeace has also been a source of controversy[20]. Its motives and methods have received criticism[21][22] and the organization's direct actions have sparked legal actions against Greenpeace activists.[23][24]
Priorities and campaigns
On its official website, Greenpeace defines its mission as the following:
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by:
Catalysing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change.
Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful and destructive fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves.
Protecting the world’s remaining ancient forests which are depended on by many animals, plants and people.
Working for disarmament and peace by reducing dependence on finite resources and calling for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
Creating a toxic free future with safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in today's products and manufacturing.
Campaigning for sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.
—Greenpeace International, Who we are
[edit] Climate