KOCHI: Kochi is set to host the Greenpeace ship - ‘Rainbow Warrior’ on November 4. The ship’s visit to Kochi is aimed at showcasing solutions and engaging with local communities which are adopting and promoting ecological agricultural practices. It will be a milestone in amplifying a dialogue around safer and indigenous agricultural practices, the Greenpeace activists said.
The ship, considered a symbol of hope, courage and environmental resilience, has been at the forefront of Global Environmental Campaigns since 1978 with individuals and communities coming on the ship to voice environmental issues. Rainbow Warrior, in its current leg of India tour from October 22, will also visit Goa and Mumbai, in addition to Kochi.
Three ships have so far shared the name, its legacy, and its mission. It even got bombed pursuing its endeavours. Back in 1985 two agents belonging to the French Intelligence Services sunk the ship in New Zealand by exploding two bombs, which were attached to its hull. The second ‘Rainbow Warrior’ got commissioned in 1989 and retired from its Greenpeace life in 2011, after 22 tireless years at campaigning frontline.
The third ‘Rainbow Warrior’, one which is visiting India, entered operation on October 14, 2011. It has since been actively campaigning to promote renewable energy, ecologically savvy and sustainable agriculture, exposing illegal fishing, mitigating climate change and fighting plastic pollution in different parts of the world. She concluded her recent campaign tour in August 2017, where she undertook a voyage for cleaner and plastic free oceans in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea; engaging with the communities from Greece and Cyprus.
“The Rainbow Warrior will be in India to intensify collaboration around the issue of Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture. With our agriculture still being heavily dependent on monsoons, India is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Extreme weather conditions in the region have been affecting our agriculture and farming communities adversely. This further stresses upon the need for climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural practices. The ship will engage with communities and leaders working towards change and sustainable solutions, thus highlighting the people-powered initiatives and their endeavours for a sustainable future. The Rainbow Warrior is visiting India to take back the message of people’s power, hope, and change from India to the World,” a Greenpeace release said here.
“We cannot choose to deny the severe impacts of agricultural pesticides on farmers and consumers alike. The Yavatmal tragedy, recalls the horrors of the Bihar mid-day meal mishap from Chhapra and the Kasargode mass poisoning (Endosulfan) in Kerala,” the release said, adding the ship’s visit to Kochi will showcase solutions and engaging with local communities adopting and promoting ecological agricultural practices; it will be a milestone in amplifying a dialogue around safer and indigenous agricultural practices.