The environmental campaign group launched an online competition this week to come up with a new look for 'Pod 3' – the third generation of dome-shaped shelters used by Greenpeace activists to confront environmental villains on their own turf.
Earlier models have played a vital role in some of the campaign group's most spectacular actions. Pictures of the pods have been seen across the globe, showing them perched on top of a wave-lashed rock in the Atlantic Ocean, hooked onto the anchor chain of a giant drilling ship, or hanging off the side of an oil platform.
With the existing pods still held by police authorities overseas after having been impounded during protest actions, Greenpeace is crowd sourcing both the funding and the design of the new equipment, offering supporters a chance to 'own' acrucial piece of its frontline action gear.
The new model's first deployment is likely to be to the Arctic, where Greenpeace is gearing up to confront the oil giants hell-bent on plundering this fragile and pristine environment. The new protective structure will shelter activists from the extreme harshness of the Arctic climate as well as attacks from water cannons, allowing them to remain in hostile conditions for longer.
Announcing the launch of the competition, Greenpeace campaigner Victoria Henry, said:
"A veteran of many iconic battles to protect our fragile planet, the pod is a physical manifestation of Greenpeace values: our tenacity and our willingness to stand up to those who seek to harm the environment, no matter their size.
"Thiscompetition gives our supporters a once-in-a-lifetime chance to apply their creative skills and imagination at the very sharp end of environmental campaigning. Defining the look of our pod, their artwork will become the focal point of daring actions to stop environmental villains in their tracks. These images will inspire millions of people the world over."
The competition ends on April 25, and submissions will be judged by a panel of experts shortly after, with the winning artwork announced in early May.
ENDS
Competition website: http://pod.greenpeace.org.uk/design
Twitter hashtag: #HopeOnARope
Pictures and footage of the pod in action are available.
Contact:
Stefano Gelmini, Greenpeace UK press officer, t 0207 865 8296 m 07506 512 442
