CKNW Editorial
for July 26, 2001

I want to talk about protest groups today especially about Greenpeace.

I found it interesting that when I went to the Greenpeace website to confirm some facts I discovered that Greenpeace must have been founded by no one anywhere. There was the story of the nuclear test in Amchitka in 1971 that started it all, but not only was Vancouver not mentioned but neither were the founders. I wonder if this can be because Bob Hunter, the writer, has since found much to criticize about the organization… because Patrick Moore is seen as a turncoat … and because Paul Watson, having left Greenpeace on bad terms, is now an environmental hero in his own right and competes with Greenpeace for funds?

I find myself generally on the side of protesters, even though I might not agree with the point being made from time to time. If I were younger I’m sure I would be protesting physically where I now do it from the relative safety of the broadcast studio. But I’m angry at Greenpeace.

I think Greenpeace has forgotten its roots, something Paul Watson has not. Paul knew that he couldn’t be all things to all people, concentrated on sea mammels and has done a hell of a job. The bravest man I’ve ever known, Paul terrorizes those who would destroy sea mammals and I applaud him. I wouldn’t turn to him for help saving our Pacific salmon because I know that’s not where he concentrates his protests.
I remember when Greenpeace got started in 1971 and the admiration I had for their founding members. I know Bob Hunter, Pat Moore and Paul Watson even though Greenpeace evidently doesn’t. I grew up and went to school with the later arrival but the icon of the organization, David McTaggart who tragically died in a car crash earlier this year. Greenpeace has outgrown its beginnings so much that it no longer cares for BC’s environment unless it is newsworthy in places it gets its funding.

Greenpeace concentrates on the forests industry and badmouthing BC’s forest products abroad, especially in Europe. That makes great TV clips to translate into donations.

There was a time Greenpeace cared about BC salmon. Any time there was an issue involving local waters we could count on Catherine Stewart or another Greenpeacer to be in the studio in a flash. No longer. Greenpeace doesn’t do oceans any more, we’re told. At least not our part of the North Pacific Ocean.

This is not only a great pity, it tells me that if we who care about our oceans and their fish give money to environmental groups, we should send our donations to those that think likewise. I have donated to Greenpeace in the past – not vast sums to be sure – but no more.

What is sad is that Greenpeace, now a huge organization with a help wanted banner on their website, has information resources and experts who can take on the forces who would condemn our fish to the predations of Alcan, Norwegian Fish farmers and Galen Weston. The David Suzuki Foundation has the science, it’s true, but they’re not known for physical protesting. The Save Our Fish Foundation, of which I was a co-founder, has some ability to get information but they are a small group with very limited funds. The Steelhead Society has lost its edge since Craig Orr left so that the salmon has but a few voices speaking for them and even then, often from a point of view of self interest. The Fish Farmers and their government sucks know this and can divide and conquer.

I will carry the fight for salmon forward as best I can but I have only limited means to do this. I must rely on others for the science and the expertise. I have many other issues to deal with.

This is what makes the absence of Greenpeace hurt so much. And speaking of hurt, it pains me to urge British Columbians to think twice before sending any donations to Greenpeace. But why the hell should we give money to a group which, while if can raise hell about BC products abroad if it’s timber products, can’t raise a finger if it’s our salmon?

British Columbians have their heritage at stake – no less than that is the issue – and are represented by weak governments who would sell that heritage, and sell it cheap. Bad enough that they would sell it, but the purchasers are foreign and out of province businesses.

As I mentioned on Monday, never have we in this province faced such an environmental challenge. At a time when we need money, badly, in the short term we have governments ready to fix that problem by sacrificing the long term. And at a time, more than all other times, the environment card must be played, our own homegrown environmental protester, Greenpeace, can’t even afford one person to speak for our salmon.

Others will, no doubt take up the slack – but it’s a damn shame all the same.