Sylvie Willis
Greenpeace has been one of the most prominent organizations campaigning for environmental protection and the phasing out of fossil fuels. However, in 2018, Greenpeace launched a propane-fueled blimp to protest fossil fuel production in California, which was met with irony as the airship was made of petroleum-based polyester. Despite this stunt, Greenpeace has been actively working to reduce its fossil fuel usage, with plans for a new green ship that will utilize renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and green hydrogen. While airships have been associated with sustainability and the use of lifting gases like helium, it is important to note that some modern airships still rely on kerosene engines, highlighting the complexities in the pursuit of eco-friendly solutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Greenpeace airship fuel type | Propane |
| Greenpeace airship material | Petroleum-based polyester |
| Greenpeace airship tire, O-rings, and control composition | Petroleum-based rubber and plastic |
| Airship type | Dirigible |
| Airship shape | Cigar-shaped |
| Airship composition | Balloon filled with nearly weightless lifting gases |
| Airship speed | 100-130km/h |
| Airlander 10 engine number | 4 kerosene engines |
| Airlander 10 emission | 90% less CO2 than a typical aircraft |
| Airlander 10 speed | 130km/h |
| Airlander 10 capacity | 90 people |
| Airlander 10 fuel by 2030 | Hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric engine |
| Airship window | Unpressurised cabins that can be opened |
| Airship energy consumption | Lower energy consumption than typical aircraft |
| Airship future | Zero-carbon emitting form of air transport |
| Greenpeace new ship propulsion technology | Solar panels, batteries, green hydrogen, fuel cells, and green methanol |
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What You'll Learn
Greenpeace's propane-fuelled blimp
Greenpeace has been known to use a propane-fuelled blimp in its activism. In 2018, the group flew a dirigible over the Taft-Kern County Airport in California, calling on the state's governor, Jerry Brown, to take a stand against oil production in California. The blimp was made of petroleum-based polyester, with its tires, O-rings, and controls made of petroleum-based rubber and plastic.
The use of a fossil fuel-powered airship in a protest against fossil fuels has been criticised as ironic. When the blimp landed, Taft Mayor Dave Noerr asked the Greenpeace activists: "What powers this thing? Is that propane?". One activist responded by saying that Greenpeace wanted to "protect the communities that are being polluted by [the oil companies]".
Mayor Noerr pointed out that California has a clean and self-sustaining community, and that the state had met its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goals two years early while remaining a major oil and gas producer. He also argued that eliminating oil production in the world's fifth-largest economy is neither practical nor environmentally sound.
Greenpeace has also used a portable solar power installation, named the Rolling Sunlight, to provide clean energy in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy.
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Kern County oil production
Greenpeace, an environmental activist group, made headlines in 2018 for launching a propane-fuelled blimp to protest fossil fuels over the Taft-Kern County Airport in California. This incident brought attention to the ongoing debate surrounding Kern County's oil production and the balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.
Kern County, specifically the Kern River Oil Field, is a significant contributor to California's oil and gas production. With a cumulative production of nearly 2 billion barrels of oil by the end of 2006, it is California's third-largest oil field and the fifth-largest in the United States. The field covers 10,750 acres and had 9,183 active wells as of 2006, making it a crucial site for oil extraction in the state.
The discovery of oil in the region dates back to 1899, when Tom Means persuaded Roe Elwood, Frank Wiseman, and others to dig for oil. The first commercial well was drilled by Horace and Milton McWhorter on June 1, 1899, marking the beginning of oil exploration in the area. Over the years, enhanced production technologies, such as steam flooding, have been employed to revive the field and extract oil that was once considered unfeasible to recover.
While Kern County has maintained its position as California's leader in oil and gas production in 2022, it has faced a decline in nationwide rankings. Richard Chapman, President and CEO of Kern Economic Development Corporation, attributes this drop to state regulations and policy bottlenecks. Despite the decline, Kern County remains California's energy capital, embracing both traditional energy sources and renewable alternatives.
The debate surrounding Kern County's oil production highlights the complex interplay between economic development and environmental concerns. While some argue for the economic benefits and job opportunities provided by the oil industry, others, like Greenpeace, advocate for a transition to cleaner energy sources to protect communities from pollution and address climate change. Striking a balance between these competing interests is a challenging task faced by policymakers and regulators in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
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Greenpeace's new green ship
Greenpeace has been sailing the world's oceans for over 50 years, fighting for environmental justice. The organisation is now planning to build a new green ship to pioneer sustainable technology and demonstrate that long-distance voyages can be achieved using renewable energy sources. The project is still in its early stages, but the ship will dramatically reduce fossil fuel use and will be equipped with future-proof technology to eventually eliminate the need for fossil fuels.
The new vessel will be a sailing ship with over 2000 sqm of sails, supporting on-board energy regeneration, battery packs, and solar panels. It will harness wind and solar power to be as close to fossil fuel-free as possible when it launches, with the goal of transitioning to 100% green energy as soon as technically feasible. This ship will be able to accommodate more people at sea and in port, providing better living and working spaces. It will also be more accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including local communities.
Greenpeace intends to use this ship to confront environmental destruction in remote locations and support communities affected by the climate crisis. The ship will be equipped with cutting-edge green propulsion technology and the necessary tools to expose and challenge those contributing to the destruction of our oceans and climate. The organisation is partnering with Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, to bring this ambitious project to life, with the new ship expected to begin campaigning in 2027.
While Greenpeace has previously faced criticism for using a fossil fuel-powered airship for a protest in 2018, the organisation remains committed to reducing its fossil fuel use and setting an example for others to follow with its new green ship.
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The environmental leader of California
Greenpeace has long been one of the most prominent environmental organizations in the world, with a presence in over 55 countries. In California, the group has been campaigning for a shift away from fossil fuels, including oil and gas drilling, and against the use of public money to fund these industries.
In 2018, Greenpeace activists made headlines with a propane-fueled blimp stunt over the Taft-Kern County Airport in California. The blimp, made of petroleum-based polyester, called on Governor Jerry Brown to take a stand against oil production in California. This action was met with criticism, with some arguing that California's thriving energy industry can coexist with strict environmental regulations.
While Greenpeace has been criticized for this particular stunt, the organization has been taking steps towards reducing its fossil fuel use. Greenpeace has been working to reduce the fuel consumption of its ships, and is planning to build a new ship powered by renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and green hydrogen. This new ship will not only be cleaner but will also carry technology to expose and challenge environmental destruction.
As California continues to pursue sustainability, the state's environmental leader, Governor Brown, has been recognized for his realistic approach. California has met its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goals two years ahead of schedule while maintaining a significant oil and gas production industry. The state is also exploring the potential of airships for sustainable aviation, alongside the development of sustainable aviation fuel and electric planes.
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Greenpeace's use of hot air balloons
Greenpeace has been making plans for a new green ship that will reduce its fossil fuel use. The organisation has been using ships since its founding in 1971, when a group of environmentalists set sail to stop a nuclear weapons test in the Aleutian Islands.
In 2018, Greenpeace launched a propane-fuelled blimp to protest fossil fuels, which some considered ironic given that the airship was made of petroleum-based polyester. The blimp flew over the Taft-Kern County Airport in Taft, California, a town that exists because of oil production.
Despite this incident, Greenpeace has been making efforts to reduce its fossil fuel use. The organisation has worked to reduce the amount of fuel used by its ships and is planning to build a new ship powered by renewable energy sources, including wind, solar panels, batteries, green hydrogen, fuel cells, and green methanol.
Over the years, hot air balloons have played a significant role in several memorable Greenpeace actions around the globe. Greenpeace USA's One World Balloon is part of this tradition. While Greenpeace has not provided specific details about its use of hot air balloons, the organisation recognises their value in making a big, loud, and unmissable point.
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Frequently asked questions
Greenpeace has used a propane-fuelled blimp in the past. However, they are currently making plans for a new green ship that will use dramatically less fossil fuel.
The new ship will be a sailing ship, using wind power to cross the ocean with a modern Dynarig sail system. It will also use solar panels, batteries, green hydrogen, fuel cells, and green methanol to maximise fossil-free operation.
Airships are a form of sustainable air travel. They do not require a runway and can take off and land anywhere with a large, flat space. Greenpeace uses airships to make a big, loud, unmissable point about the capabilities of solar power.
