McGill University took a green step forward this year with the creation of the first university-led Greenpeace chapter in Canada, a stepping stone for the environmental organization that could lead to other Canadian universities following suit.

 

Beth Hunter, a co-ordinator for Greenpeace Montreal, calls the recent creation of the university club “a nice symbiosis.”

 

“By being on their own, it gives them flexibility and independence. They are able to develop their own activities while still making the Greenpeace campaign relevant to campus,” Hunter said.

 

The desire to create a Greenpeace chapter on the McGill campus has been in the works for almost a year. The club was finally given interim status in January and so far already has 25 active members and over 130 members on its Facebook page.

 

Sariné Willis-O’Connor, the organizing correspondent for Greenpeace McGill, is proud to be part of the first university-led chapter for the international organization.

 

“It’s a huge deal. Students need to be aware of these issues, because they are some of the best people to affect change. It heightens McGill’s status as a university as well. It’s now a symbol of environmental influence,” she said.

 

Despite the established Greenpeace office in Montreal, Willis-O’Connor said she believes the university club will only heighten Greenpeace’s exposure as a prominent environmental champion.

 

“It’s really about heightening student awareness. The great thing about Greenpeace is that it focuses on environmental issues that not everyone knows about, that are just as important,” Willis-O’Connor explained.

 

One such campaign is the issue of unsustainable fishing, which is becoming an increasing threat to the oceans and the ecosystem.

 

“Hundreds of fish are scooped up in the Atlantic, most of which are just thrown out, polluting the ocean with dead fish. Many of these fish are big predator fish that are necessary for the food chain,” Willis-O’Connor said.

Recently, Greenpeace McGill organized a letter-writing event, where students were encouraged to come out and write letters to their local grocery stores, urging them to sell sustainable fish products in their stores.

 

“People don’t know where their fish is coming from or where it was caught, because it doesn’t say it on the label,” Willis-O’Connor said.

 

The event was a huge success, raking in nearly 100 letters and postcards from students.

Similar campaigns have been equally successful for Greenpeace McGill and Greenpeace International as a whole and Hunter relates this success to the organization’s freedom.

 

“The fact that Greenpeace is independent gives us an incredibly freeing sensation. You never have to worry about funding being cut, making our campaigns a lot more effective.”