Making Waves: The Story and Legacy of Greenpeace

On view until June 7, 2020.

Greenpeace is one of the most recognizable environmental activism groups of our time. What began with a small group of Canadians and Americans protesting a nuclear bomb has become a global phenomenon. Over its five-decade history, the organization has protested many different causes: whaling, pollution, mining, genetic testing and nuclear testing.

With humble beginnings in Vancouver, Greenpeace has always had a strong connection to the sea. Today Greenpeace has grown into a multinational organization with offices in 40 countries. Much of their success can be attributed to the provocative ways they draw attention to their causes. Now that Greenpeace is approaching a milestone of 50 years of activism, what is the legacy of the organization?

Making Waves looks at the origins of Greenpeace and their first voyage from Vancouver to Alaska to protest nuclear testing and explores how Greenpeace expanded its fleet and influence around the world and found new causes to support, including the curbing of commercial whaling.

Port Cities such as Vancouver are now dealing with the effects of a changing climate and are finding ways to adapt to this new demand. Making Waves exhibition explores how cities, government, and industry are developing new policies, and sustainable practices which must be implemented in order to preserve our environment.