Watch Greenpeace
- 1969
- 1 Season
Greenpeace is a documentary series from XiveTV which follows the worldwide environmental organization that brings attention to issues like deforestation, climate change, and pollution. This documentary series is a window into the inner workings of the organization, the individuals who work behind the scenes, and the volunteers who risk their lives to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Each episode focuses on a different Greenpeace campaign - from the vast open sea where the Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise confronts whaling ships to the Amazon rainforest, where activists work towards the conservation of tree species and biodiversity. The series is a chronicle of Greenpeace's non-violent direct actions, its political campaigns, its lobbying efforts, its multimedia campaigns, its scientific reports, its research, and its in-house training programs for activists.
The first episode of Greenpeace highlights the tension between Greenpeace and the Japanese government over whaling. The episode follows the journey of the Arctic Sunrise, Greenpeace's campaigning ship, across the seas to confront Japanese whaling ships. The footage is visceral, showcasing activists putting their lives on the line to stop whaling ships, but also offers a look at the day-to-day life of the crew members and the near misses that occur while the ship is in pursuit.
The following episodes of the series focus on Greenpeace's campaigns towards demanding greater protection measures for forests and oceans, preserving marine life, and confronting air and water pollution. The episodes also depict the research and educational initiatives Greenpeace undertakes to highlight environmental concerns and put pressure on governments, businesses, and people to take action for a better future.
One of the most striking features of Greenpeace is its ability to take a macro look at the issue at hand while also delving into the individual stories. For instance, in the fourth episode which takes place in Indonesia, we see how Greenpeace tackles deforestation and fights against illegal logging in a way that helps local communities too. The episode focuses on the case of one logging company which Greenpeace is going up against, but it also introduces us to the people who are dependent on the forest for their livelihoods. This approach humanizes the complex issues that Greenpeace is battling and underscores that the fight against environmental degradation is not only a concern for the environment, but it is also a matter of human dignity.
The series is not just about Greenpeace's confrontational methods. It also highlights the important work the organization undertakes to influence national and international legislation. The third episode highlights the case of the South Korean government's decision to reopen the Kori Nuclear Power Plant despite the protest of the Koreans. Greenpeace's well-placed lobbying played a major role in changing this decision as it helped cast media attention on the risks of nuclear energy and mobilized a citizen-led movement against it.
Greenpeace also showcases the scientific reports that Greenpeace produces to influence decisions in favor of environmental protection as well as the training programs Greenpeace runs for activists who are on the frontlines of the struggle for the inalienable right to a healthy and viable planet. The series is often emotionally charged as it chronicles the lives of activists who put their safety on the line to enact change, the politicians and corporations who Greenpeace goes up against, and the everyday people who are affected by environmental degradation.
Overall, Greenpeace is a gripping and informative documentary series that highlights the importance of environmental activism and the need for people to take collective action to save our planet. It offers an insight into the organization's work and activism that is hard to come by anywhere else.