Canon Can Save Whales
In less than 24 hours, since we launched the "Canon Can Save Whales" Appeal, over 15,000 people have sent letters to the CEO of Canon Japan asking him to speak out against whaling. While the sheer number of letters is encouraging, what's even better is the time that some folks are taking to write personally to Canon.
Here's a tiny sample:
"My family and I love canon cameras- they are all we've ever owned, and we will love them even more if you prove to the world that Canon is committed to building a better world for future generations, and does not support the hunting of endangered or threatened species with anything other than a camera.The earth would be incredibly less beautiful without whales."
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"I recently purchased a new Canon Rebel XTi DSLR camera and will return it since I have learned of your unwillingness to denounce the irresponsible killing of whales with harpoons. I may not be able to control your obvious immoral stance on this subject, but I can control what products my friends and I purchase and from whom. I am very disappointed with Canon!"--
"As a happy and dedicated owner of two Canon cameras I was disappointed to see the less than stellar position you have taken with regards to the whale hunt. While I agree, in general, that there are many positions to take on a subject, in the current case it is obvious to all but the most willfully blind that the whale hunt is an economic and political concession to a small and out of touch minority from an era best left to the history books. I would have hoped that as a respected member of the business community you would have been happy to state as much.Over the last number of years I have encouraged many friends and members of my firm to purchase Canon cameras; however, given your recent position I certainly will not be buying anymore of your products and most definitely will not be recommending them either."
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"I've been a loyal Canon customer for many years, and I can personally vouch for and regularly recommend the Canon brand to friends and colleagues. In fact when it comes time for me to upgrade cameras, I don't even bother looking at the other brands. As far as I'm concerned Canon cameras are simply the best that money can buy.Like so many of my colleagues in the photographic community, I am also a passionate environmentalist. There's nothing more wonderful than being able to capture the beauty of this world with a camera. Photography fits so well with my philosophy of 'do no harm to the planet'.
As an environmentalist I'm greatly saddened by the terrible harm that's being inflicted upon the whales in the southern oceans, and I implore you to use the influence you have in the Japanese business community to help to end the slaughter of whales for good.
The whaling industry is not economically viable, or environmentally sustainable, and certainly does not help to maintain a beautiful world for future generations."
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"I am a school teacher living in Okinawa Japan. Today is payday and I was just about to go to Deo Deo today and buy a new camera before I got this message from Greenpeace. I really like Canon's line of digital cameras and I am inclined to purchase another, as I've always done in the past. My Canon S40 just recently broke from overuse and I would like to upgrade to a newer model. However now I think I'll put off my purchase until I see if you will agree to this statement that Greenpeace is distributing. I will forward this message that they wrote, but this one is very personal to me!I really love Japan and I have many Japanese friends here. I also know that Japanese people are compassionate and love the environment as much as I do, so this should not be a difficult position to take. Please do the right thing and support Greenpeace's and the rest of the international community's position on the issue of whaling."
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"Before I commence with the standard Greenpeace letter, let it be noted that I intend to boycott Canon merchandise until a positive statement is made."--
"Until such time that Japanese whaling has stopped I am urging all of my friends and family to boycott Japanese products including Canon. It is difficult to do this as many Japanese companies make superior products and Canon is a brand I have grown to rely on.Whales can be studied without killing them – it is a scandal that this so called “science” continues at the expense of Japanese taxpayers. If this continues I feel the ramifications will be felt for all Japanese people who rely on the work generated by companies such as yours."
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"MY FAMILY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BOYCOTT JAPAN ! THAT MEANS WE WILL NOT SPEND ANY OF OUR MONEY ON JAPANESE GOODS AND WE WILL NOT CHOOSE JAPAN FOR OUR HOLIDAY EACH YEAR, SOMETIMES WE MANAGE TO HOLIDAY TWICE A YEAR BUT YOUR COUNTRY WILL NEVER BE ON OUR LIST !
CANON JOINS OUR LONG LIST OF JAPANESE PRODUCTS THAT WE NO LONGER BUY. WE RUN A FAMILY BUSINESS AND OFTEN NEED TO REPLACE OFFICE EQUIPMENT, NEEDLESS TO SAY NONE OF OUR EQUIPMENT WILL BE MADE BY A JAPANESE COMPANY."
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"Greenpeace may not support a boycott of Japanese products, but I do, and my friends do. I am not anti-Japanese and I will immediately buy the best Canon camera I can afford if your company speaks out against whaling. I shall then use it to tell the whales to SAY CHEESE."
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"Not going to fluff around, just please sign the petition. Whale meat can't really taste that good, can it?"
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"I am a cetacean researcher. Part of my research involves photographic identification if individual whales. I will be upgrading my photographic equipment next month. In the past I have used Canon photographic equipment, but this time I am looking at using camera gear from a non-Japanese company.I am sorry to do this, but my research colleagues and professional photographer friends will all stop using Japanese equipment because we see the Japanese whaling as cruel and unnecessary. It is also hypocritical to take beautiful images of animals, especially vulnerable species, using equipment from Japan.
Japan is a special country, with amazing people and beauty, but whaling is very inhumane and not necessary in this world today.
Please accept my apology for myself, my work colleagues and my friends who will no longer use your products. Please support a ban on Japan killing whales, dolphins and porpoises."
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"I apologise do disturb you with this unusual request. I am using an wonderful Powershot camera, friends of mine use Ixus.I feel obliged to politely ask you to consider the request by Greenpeace to condemn the whale hunting.
Photography and nature , such a beautiful combination. Raising your voice can make the difference."
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"While I realize the battle over harpooning whales versus "shooting" them with cameras probably wasn't the fight or message you woke up looking to address this morning, as a dedicated Canon customer (owner of a 5D, 30D and numerous L lenses) I feel it's important to let you know that your company's commitment to wildlife preservation is important to me."--
"You know this is right! And the IXUS Rocks! Would love to shoot them Whales one day with it!"
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"I recently bought a Canon (Rebel XTi) and am delighted with it.I am less pleased with the silence that Canon has shown when taking a position on whaling in the Antarctic.
I had thought Canon was committed to conservation, given the message in National Geographic and other magazines. Here is an opportunity for Canon to DO and SAY something to support the advertising rather than merely posing.
Canon is an important worldwide company that could take a leadership role and show the world that it means what it says. As the CEO of such a company, Mister Mitarai, you could be a leader at a time in history when we need leaders in an important cause like this.
The Greenpeace statement would be an important signal to the world"
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"I bow.Sir, as a monk and one who loves Nature and all that it entails, I plead to you on humantarian grounds to please help preserve the Whales in our oceans. Whales have done nothing to deserve the steady whaling that your country is involved in. Please help sir."
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"I've been buying Canons for my entire adult life... in fact, I used a Canon to shoot the photos for my most recent book.I know that Canon wants to “hand over a beautiful earth for future generations”. Please support Greenpeace's efforts to ban inhumane whaling."
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"What would Nikon do?"
Comments
Canon is a multinational that make cameras, cameras makes pictures, pictures are beautiful,whales are beautiful,no whales no beautiful pictures, no beautiful pictures so people don't buy cameras, no cameras is Canon ending.
Canon do something for your future.
Posted by: Luis Salazar (Spain) | January 25, 2008 12:12 PM
Please stop Whaling.
Is not fair that because of the Japanese people and because Japanese people sell a kilogram of meet of whale so expensive, ALL THE WORLD, must suffer the killing of Whales.
JAPAN, please stop whaling for ever!
Whales are intelligent animals, that we must respect, and for our Kids, the children of our children, we must care for the future of them, so they may also watch this magnificent animals.
Regards,
Paula Ferrel from Chile, South America
Posted by: Paula Ferrel | January 25, 2008 4:20 PM
Dera Mr/Mrs Canon,
please help to stop whale hunting!!!!
Posted by: mahdi ebrahimi | January 28, 2008 2:25 AM
You don't need to kill whales to research their natural history. Species other than humans have a right to survive; stop exploiting what we don't understand.
You don't need to kill whales to research their natural history.
Posted by: Brian Beesley | January 28, 2008 1:34 PM
For goodness sake why do companies like canon not practice what they preach. Canon back up your claims and show some backbone, use your influence and help stop the murder.
Posted by: Karen Burrell | January 30, 2008 8:19 AM
Well said Karen !!!!
Posted by: Mata | January 30, 2008 5:33 PM
I am not an environmental activist with the passion that Greenpeace would expect from people. I run my own company and therefore pragmatic when it comes to business matters.
What I cannot condone however is an activity that serves no purpose beyond satisfying the bloated egos of a few narrow minded people.
This issue may be one that concerns Japanese pride and independence, but if Japanese pride and independence does not come in the way of doing business with the world, then I don't see why it should come in the way of accepting what is a VERY REASONABLE concern of the same world. Particularly so when you claim you ARE environmentally conscious.
I don't expect the CEO of Canon to force the Japanese bureaucrats to change their ways. But I can definitely expect a clear and categorical statement from you that you do not condone whaling.
I choose your camera because it was the best that I could get for my money. But I do not think I could buy your products again considering the hypocrisy of your stand on whaling.
Posted by: Karthik | February 4, 2008 7:43 AM
Why not pitch to Nikon to do speak out against the whale hunt as well; If Nikon do it, it may help to persuade Canon to follow.
Posted by: Michael AW | February 4, 2008 7:51 AM
If you people really care about stopping the japanese from hunting whales, then do something about it that would hurt them if they continue! Do something that would force the Japanese Government too stop the practice! BOYCOTT ALL JAPANESE GOODS until they stop whaling!
The Japanese people, as a whole, if they do not act to prevent such a thing as whaling, must be held responsible for the actions of the few who are actually carrying out such acts, especially if they do not even try to stop it.
Narcistic Narwhal
Posted by: Howard | February 5, 2008 2:27 AM
While I do not condone whaling, I have yet to see any logical or scientific explanation of why whaling is significantly detrimental to ecologic cycles.
Imagine a world without whales: no more pretty pictures. Some arctic cultures would suffer losses of food, raw materials and cultural heritage. That's about it. Big whoop. These consequences are not a concern for the long-term survival of humans. Quite certainly, whale populations do not pose a direct effect on more pressing concerns such as educational deficits, international conflicts, natural resource issues, or overpopulation. And I have yet to see evidence of how such consequences could harm other species, other than that plankton and other mircobiota would thrive.
Quit vomiting your pathetic and emotional cries about the whaling industry. Post a comment with some measure of logical and pragmatic integrity. Admit that the quality of your own personal life is not a function of the the whale population.
Posted by: Jesse Richter | February 6, 2008 12:15 PM
my family recently bought a cannon powershot s3is camera and i took some great pictures over the summer; but the zoom button is now stuck and it requires repairs. these repairs are very costly...nearly the price of a new camera...SOMEONE SAY NIKON?? unneccesary whaling is just plain abusive to that beautiful world my kids should get to expierience.
Posted by: cory vanderveen | February 7, 2008 2:57 PM
Iaorana Ocean Bloggers,
Dear Jesse,
We want to stop whaling for the whales, not for us.
As whalers are part of mankind, as they don't kill for their own food, we have the right, and duty to stop them.(see IWC text 1956)
Overpopulation is a problem that could be 10 times less if we stop overprofit and overconsumation.
This blog is one of the ocean defenders, if you feel you would like to see our solutions for other matters, please visit Greenpeace.org, home page, and welcome.
We have much to do.
Earth is one.
Mata
Posted by: Mata | February 7, 2008 6:04 PM
Please CANON help us to leave the whales in peace!
Please JAPAN why don't you try to become vegetarian !!!
Don't you think it's time to stop killing and killing more and more!!!
Use cameras not harpoons!!!
Posted by: myosothis | February 7, 2008 7:05 PM
I had been experiencing whale watching in Hervey Bay, Australia. My opinion -" Real scientists don't need to kill whales to study them"
Posted by: Mohd Rafie | February 9, 2008 3:55 PM
We love Canon but we're disappointed. Canon as committed to save wildlife and environment. But now they support whaling, they do nothing. Please Canon forget money. Help the world to stop hunting whales. They're beautiful animals. Whitout them our photos wouldn't be so wonderful. We think you should help to stop straight away.
REMEMBER! Canon you CAN! SO Mr Miterai, you CAN too!!
Posted by: 3°C pupils CROIX DAURADE school Toulouse FRANCE | February 12, 2008 6:26 PM
Greenpeace is great, but..... why don't you lot just shut up about the whales, honestly? You really are beginning to sound like a scratched record. There are plenty of whales in the sea. Do you really think the Japanese are stupid enough to kill all of them? Surely that would leave no whales for next year and the year after and so on. Bring me a whale burger to Sydney, Australia and I will eat it on national TV with my head held high.
Oh, and by the way, I am an environmentalist, tree hugging ex-vegan. I pick up more than 1000 cigarette butts a week in the city centre and recycle as much as possible. Save the planet, sure, but what's wrong with munching on a whale?
Posted by: Andrew Orr | February 13, 2008 10:38 AM
I LIKE THE GREENPEACE / CANON ARTWORK ...IT'S EXPLAIN EVERYTHING.
Posted by: Onur Disbudak | February 15, 2008 6:03 PM
Japan needs to remove the Research sign from its whale fishing fleet. There is no Research going on nor does there need to be any Research. This is 2008 Research does not hide your real work nor do people believe it. You are there to catch whales and turn them into seafood. Can't everybody just take a break for 5 years. Give the whales a break.
Posted by: James S. Klich II | February 19, 2008 4:39 AM
I love Canon all my equipment is Canon, but now I really think I need a change. People all around the world see Japanese people as monsters why, because it seems that they don't care about our world. And let me tell you it's the only one we have. What would Japanese people do when there are no dolphins, sharks and whales?
Posted by: Daniela Delgado | February 20, 2008 1:18 AM