Extremist environmentalist rhetoric

This week, our assignment was to find examples of extremist environmental rhetoric. I classify all these as persuasion. Sure, there may be guilt involved, but these advertisements are all on paper, and even if their claims are grand, Greenpeace does not threaten harm. Mostly, they shame leaders for not taking a stronger environmental stance. Enjoy the Greenpeace tour of Europe!



Greenpeace France advertisement with President Nicolas Sarkozy photo illustration made to look like Obama "Hope" poster. "Reduce greenhouse gases in Europe by 30%? Yes you must!"

Greenpeace France advertisement calling for abolition of the red tuna trade. "Mister mayor, the red tuna cannot await! France took a disappointing position on the red tuna. Demand an end to the fishing industry!"

Greenpeace Nederland banner on a cathedral tower "Don't let climate change reduce us to nothing."

English-language advertisement featuring German Prime Minister Angela Merkel. Found similar ads featuring Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and President Obama.

Greenpeace Espana demonstration, putting a gas mask on an Osborne Bull, a Spanish national symbol, in protest of livestock-related emissions.

Greenpeace Deutschland advertisement, featuring Prime Minister Angela Merkel mocked up as a character from a Schwarzenegger film. "Have muscles for the environment, Angie!"