Greenpeace Builds an Ark - Shows Anything is Possible

Posted on Wed Jul 18 2007

By: Amber Cowie in Environment

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Step aside, Evan Almighty. An ark is not a thing to be taken lightly—or handled by Hollywood.

In April 2007, Greenpeace staged a protest of epic proportions by building an ark and staging its unveiling at the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), held in Brussels, Belgium. Greenpeace’s simple message, exemplified by the grandiose gesture, was that the most disastrous effects of climate change can still be averted—but only with a strong and aggressive commitment from both individuals and government around the world.

The IPCC released the second of four reports on the projected impact of climate change at the Brussels conference. The group has been issuing reports at regular intervals; the last IPCC report in 2001 projected millions of people and animals at great peril if climate change is allowed to continue unchecked.

With each report, the numbers grow more dire, said a representative from Greenpeace. The February 2007 report from the IPCC stated with 90 percent certainty that the observable changes in tides and ocean temperature, insect proliferation and weather patterns have been caused by human behavior. Voices from the IPCC are in agreement with other research bodies like the United Nations Environment Program and the David Suzuki Foundation who have already released statements regarding the unequivocal link between human activity and variances in global climate.

Greenpeace released a report titled Energy Revolution, which details the legislation and actions that need to be taken to significantly reduce the levels of greenhouse gas in the environment—aiming for a 50 percent reduction by 2050. The report argues that without drastic measures, climate change will proceed at a fatal rate across the globe.

A similar ark built by Greenpeace volunteers was built on Mount Ararat in Turkey—the alleged site of Noah’s original venture in end of the world carpentry. That ark will also be used as an international attention getting device to stop climate change by altering human behavior. The Turkish ark was unveiled in time for the Group of Eight summit from June 6 to 8, 2007.

The boat measures 10 meters by 40 meters and took over a month to build. It will be left on the mountain to provide shelter for mountaineers—and hopefully stand as a reminder of how much is left to do to ensure that it is needed for no other purpose.