Hi Sara, and all of the crew,
That must have been great to get of your chest! Thanks for those well spoken, bright open and passionat words. They represent an organisation I can identify with and like working for!
Save sailings home, Emilie. Regards from Zeger too.

Hi Sara and everyone,

Very good post, well said. How come you manage to put in clear words what I've been struggling to tell people for a month?
Thank you for not giving up on your principles.
Safe trip home.

An idea of where money could be cut. How about have entirely unpaid volunteers working at Greenpeace headquarters? How about stopping the expensive adverts in newspapers and paying people on the street who try to sign up others? Why aren'tvolunteers doing this recruitment on the street. How about stop buying whale meat in Japan and stop buying meat on the Esperanza - vegan diet is cheaper and more environmentally sustainable than meat.

A few ideas of where Greenpeace can cut corners to afford more fuel.

Cheers
Steve

It is very sad that you should be receiving so much criticism. I wish Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd would simply "agree to disagree" - and the same goes for all the people who have been saying here that Greenpeace should co-operate with Sea Shepherd, or else. Then we could focus on the more important issue, which is saving the whales. Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd have different ways of doing things, but that doesn't mean people must only support one and hate the other. I dont't think that Sea Shepherd are "terrorists", as the Japanese government has claimed, but I understand why you don't want to directly co-operate with them since you have a non-violence policy.
The fact that the Japanese government does not want to hunt whales while under scrutiny, shows, in my opinion, that putting pressure on them is working. Whaling may not have yet stopped completely, but we are getting closer towards our goal every year. Eventually they will decide that it just isn't worth it anymore and stop whaling. Let us hope that this happens soon.
Thanks for what you did to save the whales this year. Keep up the good work! - Myrto

Hello Greenpeace crew,

It is indeed impressive that you have managed to stop whaling for 14 days. It was such a surprising strategy, so simple, so clever, soo effective.

With mixed feelings I have read Sara's post. I thank you for the clear explanation, but is sad that you have to bother writing this at all.

I hope you realise that most of us, who prefer reading the weblog and supporting in a silent way (eg. wearing a Greenpeace jumper, sending a letter to Canon) do support your tremendous efforts.

Of course a lot of people were worrying about Esperanza's fuel running out, but every day won was terrific.

And of course, lot's of us dream about heroing in front of a harpoon. So, when we sit behind our screens and you have to leave the whaling fleet than we are disappointed too. The mixed feelings Irene wrote about.

Some of us would go on, without fuel, rowing if nescessary...but..wait..my pizza is ready.

Having said this, I think most of us have mixed feelings, but most of us appreciate your work - all of you. And it must be admitted, we surely outnumber the frustrated lot, we might have been a bit lazy in answering those silly comments.

Just know that lots of people have the utmost respect, and have supported you the last weeks by spreading the word to their families, friends and colleagues.

And just look haw many wrote to mister Canon.

Keep on working.

Sincerely yours,
and why not - although not quite my style - a hug to all of you from Belgium

Kun Van Praet
Belgium

Hi Sara,

After the post from Karli a while ago, yet another clear post about the how's and why's of things in Greenpeace, much appreciated!!!

Hope you people have a smooth return and then a well deserved holiday ;)

Greetz,
Tom

Thanks Sara,

being responsible for the whaling campaign you must still admit (as this must be your passion for signing up for the job) that leaving the Nissin Maru and not passing on co-ordinates to SSCS feels funny. Whales WILL die and that is what your ship was doing down there trying to prevent. This part of the campaign is all about going to stop individual lives of whales asides from the very important public and political awareness in Japan. The only thing that I feel you brushed aside is the question that giving co-ordinates to another conservation group makes you compromise GP non-violent stance. As has been written before this would not be the case...even if it had been an anonymous call from a payphone in StKilda you as people would feel better without losing any 'uncertain' supporters.
Sorry to bang on as you say it diverts from the issues but the individual whale part of the campaign and individual whales would have been supported.

Kind Regards

Mark.

also the other campaigns GP represent are appreciated infinitely....

@ Steve,

Hello Steve,

Some words on your ideas.

I am working for a voluntary organisation, as a staff member, after being volunteer for years.

I am well aware of your concerns on vols vs paid staff.
But here is a simple fact: once your organisation grows bigger and becomes more important it is simply not possible to work solely with vols. You need to train, recute and coördinate volunteers.
So paid staff is needed, as little as possible, but enough to guarantee continuity and funding.

As to the adverts: firstly, ngo's get often discounts, secondly it is part of showing your presence, often the return in new donations members is bigger than the cost of the advert; So why not.

I do have difficulties with the fact that people on the street are paid (ethically, they act as if they are vols). Here it a simple mather of calculatiing: the income is higher than the costs. Training a payed recruiter once and be able to sent him out 20 hours a week, for 20 weeks generates a higher income for your organisation that training 10 voluntary recruiters whome you can send out only for a couple of hours a week.

Anyway Steve, Hope you I could show you 'the other side' a bit.
I assume the forum to discuss this in deep is the one Sara refers to: http://forum.greenpeace.org/int/

Greetings,
Kun

well said sara !!!

Kia-Ora

How about making the picture of the two ships bows with the harpoon and the camera available off the web site as a downloadable file. In a large format, suitable for poster printing or wallpaper at least.

Keep up the good work

Jon

Here here Sara! Well said.

You've all done an amazing job out there this year and as you say, the campaign continues.. You're clearly making the Japanese uncomfortable which can only be very good news for the whales. The canon campaign is a great idea and is something we can all get behind now. Do let us know if there's anything else we can do.

Thanks to everyone at Greenpeace for everything you do, and for sticking to your principles and beliefs despite all the backlash. I have full faith in Greenpeace's strategy and am relieved that there are intelligent, passionate people in this world that care enough to stand up for, and work hard for, a better world.

And for what it's worth I think yis are all look mighty good, especially considering the Antarctic conditions out there ;)

Safe back to port now y'all :)

We're behind ye every wave of the way.

x

Jenni

Esperanza, Sara, All I salute you!
It really saddens me that there are people out there that can take time to criticize and insult other people and their actions, rather than take time to get of their butts and doing something themselves. Ignorance, this is why we are in soo much trouble.

But
I am glad to hear that you are keeping your heads up high, thank you for all your hard work thus far and long may it continue, I'm right with you.

eye eye captain!

Respect from Scotland
Jeni

Hey Sara,

I feel so much for you, Irene and the team on the Espie right now, I cannot believe how you have been bombarded with insults and downright abuse by so-called 'supporters'. It's really horrible to think there is so much anger in the world, let alone so much anger directed towards an organisation working to make the world a more sustainable and harmonious place. An effort for which my 6mth old baby and her little friends are eternally grateful ;)

And how on earth do you get any sleep Irene? there have been hundreds of comments, and it seems if you so much as go to the mess room to eat, or god forbid rest, you are attacked further. shame on those people.

I'd also like to just make the point that while sea shepherds claim they are returning to port to re-fuel, a quote from Paul Watson on ABC news Australia stated that they would return "if they could" and there was no mention of committing definitely to returning (I'm sorry I don't have the link handy)... It sounds like another spin doctor job from the ol' wattie to me.. just like a lot of other things that have come out of his mouth in recent times.

My mum also made a rather funny comment that focusing on only shooting whales with a Canon is kind of ironic given a canon with a small 'c' is also a pretty big weapon! she thought nikon might have been a better option! anyway, it was just kind of funny...

See you guys soon!

I support greenpeace for more than 10 years in Argentina but i think you must work togheter with Sea Shephard.

Is very sad that don't join forces.

Greenpeace must do a example of tolerance.

Working all thogheter is how we save whales.

i dont think that the presence of the Oceanic Viking make some difference, what now Australia custom is a defender of whales"?? Australia is going to confront Japan?

Kun & Steve:
actually, I've done some fundraising for Greenpeace in Italy, with a few people in the street, and none of us were getting paid. The ratio of paid people for unpaid people is rather small, I believe.
And indeed, at some point, you need to have some permanent people to manage the campaigns, and they do have to be paid - can't exactly live of thin air. They do get paid much less than they would ever receive for the same job in a for-profit.

@ Mark

When you believe in achieving goals through only peaceful and non violent means, why would you even secretly want to help those who use violence?

Would Gandhi have called up a violent group from a pay phone and shared information with them just because they shared a common goal?

@Steve & Kunvp

Yes, that's the forum. And on a day to day basis it is volunteers who run it.

i for one will be keeping hold of that email address Sara posted, after all, it's only two weeks til Valentines!

love to you great bunch of whale savers on the ship.

xxx

Sara,
To say I'm disappointed that you've had to make the above statement is an understatement.

You've all done a tremendous job in difficult and uncomfortable circumstances to promote whale conservation, while the majority of us sit on our arses and read about it on the web.

Well done and congratulations for the work you've all done and I wish you fair weather for the journey home.

Hi Sara,
my hat off to your contenance. I have followed the reports from the Esperanza closely and I cannot see any reason why someone should attack you personally. People often mix up emotions with rational strategy of an organization through which only survival can be guaranteed. Violence and fighting have never resolved problems and ignorance cannot be resolved through that either. Although I sometimes could scream about all things which go wrong with our planet I very well understand that there must be found solutions which help mankind as well as the whole planet and the creatures which are living there. Any animal that is driven into the corner will bite - so does the human when pressed too hard.
Your strategy was a good one: the only one that really works i.e. to increase the awareness about things that are going wrong. You and your fellows have done a very good job. Don't let yourself or anyone of your crew members let yourself be discouraged or de-motivated by a few jerks who just don't understand how things need to be resolved.
Violence is just the big brother of ignorance and does not solve a thing.
Wish you all a save trip home!
Best regards,
Petra

Hello Greenpeace,

There's nothing wrong with having principles, but I have to remind you that the members of Greenpeace make it possible for the organisation Greenpeace to carry out their plans. I support most of your plans, but I do hope that's not the intention of Greenpeace that that their members only donate their money and have no influence on the policy of Greenpeace. It's not enough to give people the opportunity to give their comments, if you just stop it with saying that you have your principles and if you don't agree you should find yourself another organisation in which you can recognize yourself better. A forum gives people the illusion of having influence on the policy. It's not only intended to express their opinions and feelings. Giving people a forum also results in dealing with critizism. It's very easy to say that people if they don't agree with the principles of non-violence of Greenpeace should find themselves another organisation. Political pressure or like you've mentioned public pressure via the media are also ways of violence. According to the dictionary violence means: to use physical pressure or using means of coercion!
I think that if Greenpeace is considering themself as a democratic organisation it should do something with the critizism of some of their members. I'm a Greenpeacesupporter for many years and since one year I also support Seashepherd; any some other organisations. I have my principles as well, and these are to protect this earth endangered wildlife like the whales, the dolphins, the sharks, the seals, the tigers, the mountain gorilla's, and also global warming; to change the consumptionpatern of humans as their meatconsumption which is having a huger impact on global warming then using fossil fuels; including our fishconsumption. I agree with Greenpeace on informing the public to change things for the better (a long term policy), but for the short term we need to save the endangered ceteceans like the whales! And if that means that you have to cooperate with another disciplin like Seashepherd if that means that you can safe more whales, that Greenpeace, despite all their principles should do so!

Despite some differences I continue to support Greenpeace. Because together we can make a difference. That's my message to all of you! Unity creates power and overcome your differences and work together to safe this beautifull earth! Not only for mankind, but for all of her offspring!!

Good luck and take care,

Hello Sara,

Nice letter, I have been watching and reading the entire 2008 whaling campaign from the comfort of my warm condo. It’s not hard to understand the emotion coming from other sources. Just wanted to say as a supporter of Greenpeace, the decisions and professionalism of you and the rest of the crew of the Esperanza impressed me.
Despite the controversy I believe peaceful protest is always the best way, and this year there has been more media coverage in Canada then I have ever seen in the past. I’ve had coworkers who had no idea of the plight of the whales asking questions.
The past 14 days has only reinforced my commitment to back this organization. Good luck with future endeavors. Neil

I wish I would have thought of this sooner but here is a simple solution that you could use next time. Why not just post the coordinates of the Japanese ships on your website for anyone to see? That way you are not giving them directly to Sea Shepherd but they along with the rest of the world can know where the whale killers are. I can not see how that would be violating any non-violent principles.

Lilly the Dalai lama has given them his blessing, if you read up on them a bit through open eyes they are not violent people. I just said if it was anonymous certain supporters...perhaps such as yourself...would not be offended . The part of the whale campaign that stops individual whales being slaughtered has now stopped...poor buggers.

Keep up ... Greenpeace holds the flag. You are heroes for me. Rock on and do exactly what u have done so far because u do it the best. Love u Greenpeace!

Thanks Sara...,
...and I can see your video commentary is only exceeded by your literary excellence. Perfect words from a perfect source, ...your heart.

Re:Monica S.D. Franken-van den Berg ,s posting. Everyone in Greenpeace, particularly in Amsterdam, would do well to read
those comments carefully and give some serious thoughts to them. Absolutely right as far as I am concerned.

Hi Braveharts !
My way would be :
Go fuel, Gatter money, and take aboard some of the specialists Greenpeace is made of.
I can bet they will be very happy to taste fresh seabreeze, and will be very efficient brainstormers.
Greenpeace is wide with high value different people, you can refresh the crew adding some strategy technicians.
Just manage with their dates, as they won't have a salary.
You did well, you can do better !
I am not very good gattering money, but I gave what I could.
Best regards.

You made a great job down there. I am convinced that you have managed to get the politicians in Japan to think more than twice about this with whaling. I do wish you had more fuel left so you could stay there longer, but as a marine engineer I know that the fuel tanks go empty sooner or later and the fuel is expensive.
In my opinion you have made a better job than those on Steve Irwin. I am glad that I am supporting you and not the Sea Shepards.

Hi:
I see that the Ocean Viking has reported that 4 whales have already been harpooned. So much for your hope that the Ocean Viking being down there would stop this. Any comment?

Hey you guys on the ship. Well done and well said!

You don't deserve the constant barrage of abuse, from people online, or 'Captain' Paul Walrus either. He's like a crazy stalker. I think you should fundraise to pay for a restraining order on him and his pathetic ego! LOL.

Good luck. Well done. Safe home. And thank you from all of us who haven't bothered to try and make a difference like you guys have.

"There's nothing wrong with having principles, but I have to remind you that the members of Greenpeace make it possible for the organisation Greenpeace to carry out their plans"

HAHAHA ... i would like to see you try that line with 'Captain' Paul Walrus.

Dear Greenpeace, i gave you $30 dollars, now here's what i want you to do...

HAHAHA

Sara: Cutting quotes from your post that I agree with and asking what Greenpeace is doing towards this end. ..."and it is a campaign that needs to be won in Japan" and ..."we need to make sure that we keep up that pressure in Japan - now. We are at a critical point politically – maybe even what they call a tipping point. We believe that by focusing our attention on the political arena now especially in Japan"...
I'm hoping to get a concrete answer. Something you can direct us to, as to what Greenpeace is doing to increase awareness in Japan.

OH My God. i have just seen the latest rant about greenpeace on the Sea SShepherd wesbite.

and they have the cheek to say Greenpeace is a broken record!!" guys on the Esperanza you do an amazing job. i know, that on here is not the real world - out in the real world people get what you're doing and are grateful for it.

DO not be demoralised by negative comments - and anyone being personal on here needs to take the long hard look at THEMSELF first please.

what are YOU doing to Save Whales? eh?

Well said, Sara! It's a shame that you even had to post this....too many people get caught up in the stupid little dramas, when there are much bigger, more important things happening! Some don't realize that Greenpeace's physical action is only a part of solving the issue at hand (of course, I'm not trying to make it seem like you guys don't do a lot-this action alone grabs people's attention). It's up to the people to dissent when something is wrong. You guys are bringing this to the public's attention, so the people can use their voices to protest.

Keep up the great work!!!

Once again The Japanese Government is blatantly and arrogantly ignoring any kind of international treaties concerning whaling.It truly saddens me to see this happening again.I agree,a great deal of work is needed in and within Japan to inform people, and I certainly do not wish to sound patronizing.I have read some of the quite vitriolic comments on this site. All I can say: ignorance can be a dangerous bliss. A long time ago someone wrote: For evil to prosper, all that is needed, is for good men to do nothing.
All you good people, you are not alone, we are not alone.
S.S. Morrisby.

How sad all this!This is exactly why our world is such a mess..... some humans always seem to have the need to abuse another to make themselves feel better about themselves, their pathetic egos.& the REAL battle is forgotten- whales,& our world,is dying......we MUST ALL work together.
Well done for doing what you could with action, unlike those that sit on their miserable backsides & just critize & cause destruction. To all those who do something to try & make a difference in this world-full respect.

Hi Sara! Well put and well done to you and teh rest of teh team. All the best,
Simon.

Write On, Sara! Very well said. A big bravo to you and all the crew. You have done an amazing job.
Barbara Stowe

I've lived in Japan, I have some Japanese friends and co-workers, and I have studied the language for a decade. I really am afraid that people over estimate the impact that all this is having on the Japanese public. The Japanese Government spends a lot of taxpayers' money on wasteful subsidies... it's almost the standard mode of political operation. So, the "wasting tax money" is not going to do it... I fear. I'm not sure what will. An appeal to Japanese sympathy for the suffering of the whales..? mmmm... I dunno about that. I will honestly be (pleasantly) surprised if Japanese whale hunting ends soon.

By the way, I wore a Greenpeace sweatshirt everyday (almost) to work in a Government lab in Japan. No one ever commented on it. I even appeared in a publicity TV show for the lab, wearing it.... never a comment.

Can I also say that I don't think it is right for people to be insulting, personally, about Paul Watson? He may criticise Greenpeace, but I don't think he makes "ad hominem" attacks on people in Greepeace (I may be corrected on this?). And he has done a lot for the planet over the years.

Don't get dishearted about any negative comments ,you are appreciated by people around the world who log on and email. These people who criticise and verbally abuse you are no better than immature school yard bullies! They obviously have nothing better to do. When ever you feel down,just look at all the positive comm's you receive every day!! The whales sure appreciate you!!! Safe journey back, Rachael

Firstly, well said that woman! Fantastic job Sara and all the crew.

I think many people miss the point here. It is my experience that environmental organisations in general have a very bad image, variously referred to as "road-kill eating, tree hugging, neocon hippies, telling people what they can and can't do..."

Sea Shepherd lives up to that image in spades, and gives serious organisations a bad name.

What say all the apparent supporters of Greenpeace, who have issues with the Esperanza leaving the scene, get off their bums and get out there to muster support and donations for GP, so that their tank of fuel will go further?

How many of you actually DO anything, other than mouth off and pay your tiny membership fee by direct debit?

Sara,

You are right when you do not inform Sea Shepherd people on the coordinates of the whaling fleet. Some people do not understand this, and this is because of the strong and passionate will all of we have to save those giant friends we humans have on the seas. But, if Greenpeace would cooperate with Sea Shepherd on this way, we would weaken and possibly loose the moral power we acquired along the years with our non-violence based way to defend wildlife. Paul Watson had good results when he used violence against independent whalers in the past, but the situation now is far different, we are facing the government of a country, and the Japanese people are very sensitive about their national feelings. As Karli stated very well on her message, violence would only serve to stimulate nationalism and passionate reaction from whaling supporters, reinforcing the label of anti-Japanese that some people try to put on the whale defenders. The Japanese people need to feel respected, and peaceful political pressure on their government I think is the right way to build a good agreement with them about the end of whaling (although it is not a easy way, we must be aware of that).
The Sea Shepherd people maybe could prevent the whalers to catch any whale during all the hunting season, but this does not solve the problem, we need a permanent stop. The only way to achieve this goal must come from the Japanese people, inside Japan, and this is the Greenpeace way.
It is very sad to see the whalers resuming the slaughter, but the Greenpeace is in the good way, and I, as affiliate and also volunteer in Greenpeace Brazil, I am very proud of you all on board of the Esperanza, in particular of Leandra. You are doing a great work. Have a safe journey back!

Antonio Padilha