Frequently Asked Questions Many of these questions are answered in more depth in the About Us section When was Greenpeace Australia founded? What work do you do? How many financial supporters does Greenpeace have in Australia and worldwide? Are contributions to Greenpeace tax deductible? Where do you get your funding from? How would I do something about a local environmental issue(example: trees being cleared in my street)? What can I do to help the environment? How are Greenpeace campaigns decided? What is Greenpeace's position on the escalation of violence at international meetings? How can I contact Greenpeace offices? When was Greenpeace Australia founded? Greenpeace Australia was founded in 1977 and we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2002. In 1998, the Australian and Pacific offices teamed up to become Greenpeace Australia Pacific, an environmental force for the region. Internationally, Greenpeace began in Vancouver, Canada, in 1971, with a courageous group of conservationists protesting against nuclear testing. In 1969, the US had set off a one-megaton nuclear bomb 1200 metres below the sea near Amchitka, an island off the west coast of Alaska. When a second test (5 times the size) was announced, the concerned conservationists formed a group they called Greenpeace. They raised money and chartered a boat. They travelled to the nuclear testing site to bear witness and register their protest. In the new millennium, bearing witness to environmental abuse is at the heart of the Greenpeace mission. What work do you do? Greenpeace Australia Pacific runs 6 campaigns. We seek to:
				Say NO to genetically engineered foods by putting pressure on companies and government to go GE free.
				Stop climate change by phasing out fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) and replacing them with clean renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.
				Eliminate toxic pollution by abolishing POPs (persistant organic pollutants), PVC (polyvinyl chloride/ vinyl) and chlorine and promoting alternatives, and by preventing the dumping of waste in developing nations and oceans.
				Save the oceans by bringing an end to overfishing, pirate fishing and commercial whaling.
				Save the forests by protecting Melanesia's ancient forests from wanton destruction and supporting solutions developed and run by village communities.
				End the nuclear threat by closing the nuclear industry and replacing it with clean, renewable technologies such as wind and solar.
		How many financial supporters does Greenpeace have in Australia and worldwide? Over 2.5 million people worldwide support Greenpeace. In the Australia Pacific region, Greenpeace has almost 120,000 supporters. Are contributions to Greenpeace tax deductible? All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Where do you get your funding from? To guarantee that our independent voice for the environment is never compromised, we don't accept money from governments and corporations. Greenpeace receives funding from the donations and support of individuals. Our supporters are the financial backbone of our activities. And, thanks to them, we are making a difference. We rely on concerned individuals to support our work. How would I do something about a local environmental issue, for example, trees being cleared in my street? Greenpeace works on global campaigns but encourages every individual to get involved wherever they can. For many, this involvement and action will be at a local and community level. Get in touch with a local green group to see what contribution you can make or form your own group. We have other environmental organisations listed in our links pages. What can I do to help the environment? It's the commitment of supporters that gives Greenpeace the strength to achieve our goals. You can become a supporter of Greenpeace to help our global campaigns. And, closer to home, you can get involved in local community green groups or even start one if none exists. Our Get Active site has all you need to know about setting up and managing your own social and environmental campaigns. In your home, you can really make a difference as a consumer. Choose truly environmental products. Buy recycled paper and other recycled products. When you're shopping, avoid excessive packaging. How are Greenpeace campaigns decided? In the face of greater globalisation of environmental problems, Greenpeace Australia Pacific works with Greenpeace International to give priority to campaigns that can be addressed globally. These include the impending threat of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. It is the international reach of the organisation that gives Greenpeace its unique presence around the world. Greenpeace Australia campaigns on the issues of Climate Change, Toxic Pollution, Oceans, Nuclear Issues and the Green Olympics in 2000. Given our current resources and funding constraints, there are only a limited number of campaigns we can focus on to have any successful outcome. What is Greenpeace's position on the escalation of violence at international meetings? Greenpeace is a non-violent organisation that is committed to the right to peaceful protest. As such, it disapproves of the violence that has started to occur at intergovernmental gatherings and meetings of financial and trade bodies. The disruption caused by violence at these meetings does not help the search for solutions to the social and environmental threats unregulated globalisation can lead to. It only serves to detract from the legitimate concerns voiced by non-government organisations and civil society. It also threatens to drive these meetings behind closed doors, to silence all chances of constructive debate and close down opportunities to influence positive change. How can I contact Greenpeace offices? Australian office Street address: Level 4, 39 Liverpool Street Sydney 2001 NSW Australia Postal: GPO Box 3307 Sydney 2001 NSW Australia Tel: (02) 9261 4666 Fax: (02) 9261 4588 Pacific office Street address: Level 1, Old Town Hall, Victoria Parade Suva, Fiji Tel: 679 312 861 Fax: 679 312 784

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