press releases

Greenpeace campaigners this week set off on a dog sled tour to visit isolated Greenlandic communities and collect testimonies of their opposition to Denmark giving the US permission to use the Thule radar base in Greenland as part of the US Star Wars system. 

Illegal mahogany trade

Greenpeace today accused Tony Blair of hypocrisy as they took the Government to court to try and stop Britain importing illegally logged mahogany from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest (1).

Greenpeace first alerted the Government to the illegal shipments on January 31st, after investigations revealed that two cargoes of Brazilian mahogany were headed to the UK - despite a complete ban on mahogany logging and export being imposed by the Brazilian Government late last year (2).

Greenpeace today issued the following statement after the arrest of the last of the volunteers occupying the SELCHP incinerator, at 10.45am on 28th February 2002. 

"We are sad that our occupation has come to an end, but are immensely proud of the many volunteers who helped to shut the incinerator for three and a half days.

Dioxins cause cancer and the Government admits that at least half our children are taking in more of this chemical than is considered 'safe'.

Every hour that we kept the incinerator shut was an hour less pollution by dioxins, acid gases, toxic metals and particulates.

Britain needs proper recycling and composting and a safe waste management strategy. Government plans to build more than a hundred rubbish burners across Britain are doomed to failure because the public won't stand for it.

The Greenpeace campaign against waste incineration continues".

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
Video and stills of occupation available

In the tipping hall at SELCHP

The plant that burns Blair's rubbish is putting Britain's children at risk

Greenpeace today delivered a MORI poll to Environment Minister Michael Meacher showing that 87% of the British public want the government to ban illegal imports of wood from the world's ancient forests. Furthermore 80% want the British Government to pledge funding to a proposed international fund to protect the world's remaining ancient forests.

Greenpeace response to Downing Street Energy Review

Greenpeace energy campaigner Matthew Spencer said,
"Labour looks ready to rekindle is its love affair with nuclear power. This report has the fingerprints of the pro-nuclear energy minister Brian Wilson all over it. The nuclear industry would close down in the UK without new support from the Government - this report leaves the door open for new tax-breaks and rubber-stamping of planning applications for new power stations."

Cabinet office review throws lifeline to nuclear industry

Greenpeace today publishes a leaked summary of Tony Blair's Energy Review, revealing how a Downing Street think tank is leaving the door open for a wave of dangerous new nuclear power stations across Britain. The Prime Minister was due to release the report by today at the latest, but publication has been delayed.

He's on the run - armed and dangerous

Greenpeace today issued a Wanted poster for the renowned global warming outlaw Lee Raymond. Hundreds of the pictures have been posted all over London, where he is thought to be in hiding.