Hi John,

 

Welcome back to the latest edition of your regular round-up, Stay Connected. From an update on the latest climate commitments from world leaders’ to kids resources, something for footie fans and activities to get everyone involved - we’ve got you covered.

 

Thanks for making all this possible. Grab a cuppa and enjoy.

How Greenpeace changed the world

Powered by individual donations and dedicated volunteers, our campaigns combine cutting-edge science, investigative journalism, political lobbying, mass mobilisation and creative peaceful protests. And our iconic Greenpeace ships allow us to protect the most remote and precious environments on Earth: from the High Arctic to the depths of the Congo rainforest.

 

For nearly 50 years, Greenpeace campaigns have been changing the world for the better. From saving the whales to getting rid of polluting cars, none of this would have been possible without you. 

 

Check out some of the victories Greenpeace has achieved.

What really happens to your plastic recycling?

We're all doing our bit to tackle the plastics problem. Many of us take the time to wash and sort our plastic packaging as best we can - just like we've been told to. But what happens to it once it’s collected?

 

Well over half of the household plastic packaging the government claims is recycled is sent abroad, most of it going to countries with very low recycling rates and a serious problem with plastic waste being dumped or burned illegally which ends up polluting our oceans and causing health problems for local communities living close by. The government claims all of this exported plastic gets recycled, but the truth is we have no idea what really happens to it because no one bothers to check.

 

The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country in the world - second only to the USA. The government claims that almost half of the UK’s plastic packaging gets recycled, but that simply isn’t true. It's a national scandal that less than 10% of everyday plastic is recycled in the UK.

 

It's clear we can't recycle our way out of the UK's plastics problem.  We want the government to stop dumping waste on other countries, set a target to reduce single use plastic by half and implement an ‘all in’ Deposit Return Scheme to recycle plastic bottles. If millions of us act together we can get them to turn the tide on the plastics crisis. Add your name to the petition!

Thank you from the ocean and our ship’s crew

We’re so grateful that you and thousands of others want to support our campaign to protect our oceans and the marine life and people that rely on them. Your support recently enabled us to take direct action at sea to create a truly protected area off the south coast of the UK.

 

We’re more determined than ever to take action to challenge and stop industrial fishing wrecking our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 

 

Thanks to you, we can continue the fight to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from destructive industrial fishing and do what it takes to pressure the government to properly protect them. And if you haven’t already, don't forget to sign the petition to ask the government to ban supertrawlers and other destructive fishing from the UK’s offshore MPA and stand up for ocean protection.

 

In positive news, the government recently confirmed that there are plans in the works to restrict bottom trawling activity in all 40 offshore English MPAs. Before we get too excited, it’s worth remembering that we haven’t seen the details yet. In the meantime, read up on what we know (and don’t know) about the government’s new ocean protection plans.

You’ve seen Seaspiracy, but now what?

Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK’s lead oceans campaigner, has learnt that whilst easy answers can be tempting, oversimplifying the ocean crisis can actually do more harm than good. 

 

Since watching the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy, lots of people have been asking us some great questions. From what we’re doing on ocean protection to whether going vegan is the only answer to overfishing. Check out Will’s answers in this blog.

10 minute activities for the kids

Fancy helping your children explore how to protect the planet? Check out these short introductory activities that will encourage children to think about and discuss questions related to environmental challenges and explore ways we can all help.

 

Use these short engaging videos and discussion notes to help young people explore how to protect the planet. These activities will encourage young people to think about and discuss questions related to environmental challenges and explore ways we can all help.

 

There are resources for all sorts of age groups - 7-11 year olds, 11 to 14 year olds and 14 to 18 year olds. Get the presentation and notes here! 

Does peaceful protest work?

Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of democracy – without it, the world would be a very different place. 

 

It shows how, from football fans to social, racial and environmental justice movements, big or small, hopeful acts of disobedience are shaping the world we live in. Just look at the football fans who protested outside the 'big six' stadiums just a week ago and got the controversial European Super League scrapped.

 

Peaceful protest really can achieve lasting change. Join the 150,000 and sign the petition to protect the right to protest for a green, fair and peaceful world.

What can you and global leaders do to stop climate change?

Just last week the US president used his position of power to increase the world’s climate ambitions and boost efforts to keep warming below 1.5C. The summit has led to the single biggest reduction in the 2030 emissions gap - at 12-14% - that there’s ever been.

 

The digital summit, which opened on Earth Day, featured 40 world leaders, including President Xi of China and President Putin of Russia - so it was really quite important! 

 

America’s new climate commitment is to cut harmful emissions by 50 to 52% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels. According to Climate Action Tracker, the new goal doesn’t quite hit the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C goal (that’d be north of 57%) but it’s a good deal closer.For more on this check out our blog ‘What is the Paris climate agreement and why does it matter’? 

 

We know that targets alone won't solve the climate crisis so, with your help, we'll be showing you ways to help us keep up the pressure on governments to act.  Especially as we prepare for COP in July when the UK will host this year's climate summit where heads of state, climate experts and negotiators will meet again to make commitments that affect us all. 

 

Fortunately, there are solutions to climate change that we already know will work. But only if our leaders implement them on a big enough scale. Doing what we each can to help stop climate change getting worse is the right thing to do – for people suffering now, for future generations and for all life on our planet - see how you can get involved and stop climate change.

 

Remember, we want to stay connected with you; whether you have a question about Greenpeace's work or your support, we're here to help. My team is available to call on 0330 335 3632 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm, or feel free to email any questions you may have to [email protected]. 

 

You are Greenpeace and together we can and will achieve many more amazing things. 

 

Be safe and be well. 

 

Carolyn Hoskin

Supporter Services

 

P.S. It was World Penguin Day on 25th April. How did you celebrate? Check out our favourite penguin facts in this blog.

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