Changing the world one corporation at a time...

Over spring break, my friend Juli and I went to California and got to experienced the "Hollywood" lifestyle; we got to walk down Hollywood Blvd, the Sunset Strip, and not forget Rodeo Dr. While strolling down Rodeo Dr, a shopping district with the most ridiculously expensive shops and boutiques, we were approached by a man who was a part of Greenpeace. Oh, God. I thought to myself. Not another one of these annoying people asking us to be a part of whatever organization they are in and give them a whatever sum of money that they probably will never put to good use. But as I started listening to him, I realized how much of a great cause it was.

What is Greenpeace? Greenpeace is a worldwide movement of committed activists and supporters who fight to save the planet from the threat of global warming, destruction of ancient forests, deterioration of our oceans, and the threat of a nuclear disaster loom large. He began to tell us things they have actually done and accomplished over a few months, weeks. One of these things that really caught my attention was how they made Clorox convert all of its U.S. factories that use chlorine gas to safer chemical processes over the next few years. This has and will therefore eliminate catastrophic risks to more than 13 million Americans living near their facilities and will also eliminate all risks posed by the transport of 90-ton rail cars of chlorine gas to their facilities and suppliers.

Exactly how did they do this? In February (2009), Greenpeace wrote Clorox CEO, Donald Knauss asking for a meeting to discuss ways to eliminate these risks. Check out the letter here! Greenpeace sent similar letters to Dow and DuPont. Soon after, Knauss responded and invited Greenpeace to a meeting with him and other executives at their Oakland, California headquarters in May. At the meeting Knauss unveiled their plans and explained the economic, security and safety benefits that executives factored into their decision. Following the meeting, Greenpeace was also given a tour of the Fairfield, California plant, which will be the first Clorox production facility to convert.

Take a look at the new greener Clorox commercial here.

This is just one example of the drastic changes they've implemented on huge corporations by doing the simplest of things. And by doing so, these huge corporations have influenced other corporations to convert also. It just shows how one change can literally make a HUGE difference and that if we just listen to what these organizations and small groups have to say, it will widen the difference even more.

Anyone can join Greepeace. They actually encourage college students most to join their organization and become an Green activist and supporter. To find out more about the great, "green" accomplishments Greenpeace has done or just get information, go to their website at http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/

Have a "green" day!   :)
PS. Check out my blog comment about how Greenpeace has made Dove soap stop taking palm oil and save the Paradise Forests of South East Asia! (Watch the video, also!)

-Nia