Exercise 6. Write down the Russian equivalents. Make a few sentences with the verbs

Predict, describe, invent, transmit, operate, propose, receive, send, develop, succeed, keep, change, create, communicate, exist, save, bring, win, allow

UNIT 9. GREENPEACE’S HISTORY

People are beginning to realize that environmental problems are not somebody else's. They join and support various international organizations and green parties. If people wake up to what is happening – perhaps we'll be able to avoid the disaster that threatens the natural world and all of us with it.

“The Earth needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.” – this is the motto of the Greenpeace, the organization that exists “because this fragile earth deserves a voice”.

Everything started in 1971 when a small team of volunteers and journalists, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world, set sail from Vancouver, Canada, in an old fishing boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few individuals could make a difference.

Their mission was to "bear witness" to US underground nuclear testing at Amchitka, a tiny island of the West Coast of Alaska, which is one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions. Amchitka was the last refuge for 3000 endangered sea otters, and home to bald eagles, peregrine falcons and other wildlife.

Even though their old boat, the Phyllis Cormack, was intercepted before it got to Amchitka, the journey sparked a flurry of public interest. The US still detonated the bomb, but the voice of reason had been heard. Nuclear testing on Amchitka ended that same year, and the island was later declared a bird sanctuary.

Since then Greenpeace has been campaigning against environmental degradation. The tradition of 'bearing witness' in a non-violent manner continues today, and such ships are an important part of all campaign work. In pursuing their mission, they have no permanent allies or enemies. They promote open, informed debate about society's environmental choices. They use research, lobbying, and quiet diplomacy to pursue their goals, which we can call our goals too as we are all children of nature. Greenpeace encourages many millions people to take action every day.

Greenpeace is a non-profit organization, with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. To maintain its independence, Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments or corporations but relies on contributions from individual supporters and foundation grants. As a global organization, Greenpeace focuses on the most crucial worldwide threats to our planet's biodiversity and environment.

They say, “they exist to expose environmental criminals, and to challenge government and corporations when they fail to live up to their mandate to safeguard our environment and our future.” They campaign to:

-Stop climate change
-Protect ancient forests
-Save the oceans
-Stop whaling
-Say no to genetic engineering
-Stop the nuclear threat
-Eliminate toxic chemicals
-Encourage sustainable trade

The one of the longest banners they've ever made summed things up: "When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover that we can't eat money..."

Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Greenpeace has 2.8 million supporters worldwide, and national as well as regional offices in 41 countries.