Not know what I am talking about with Greenpeace recruiters? Then you have not come across a recruiter.

In a poll taken in a classroom out of 28 students who have had interactions with Greenpeace on their campus, not one of them said they've had a positive experience.


Most Greenpeace recruiters stand on busy street corners with a clipboard of some sort. They target every person that walks by, usually asking the question "Do you have a moment for the environment?" That's smart. Playing (what is to most) the guilt card is a good way to get someone to stop and listen. But here is where the problem arises.

If you tell them "Not interested," it's as if you have insulted them personally. They either won't let up by asking, "Well do you care about Polar Bears?" to continue the conversation, or for those who make it apparent they don't wish to be bothered, they call them "ignorant."

That's the reason this blog exists.

ig·no·rant (gnr-nt) adj.
1. Lacking education or knowledge.
2. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge: an ignorant mistake.
3. Unaware or uninformed.
(via online dictionary)

According to the definition, Greenpeace recruiters are accusing the people who do not wish to speak to them of being uneducated about the environment. That's a general assumption isn't it? I like to think I know a lot about what is going on in the world, I even donate to WWF and other causes. I just happen to either be too busy or too put off by the confrontational manner in (by which?) which they conduct business.

Here is my suggestion to Abigail Smith (Orange County offices senior coordinator), treat citizens with respect. We are not big city pollutors or Polar Bear hunters. If we don't have time or don't wish to talk to a Greenpeace recruiter, let it go. It will earn Greenpeace more respect, and with more respect comes more donations.