494. Marketing is Mission: How Greenpeace Creates Bold Campaigns to Fight Climate Change - Ebony Twilley Martin

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Overview

Meet Ebony. After discovering her son’s asthma was caused by the environment, her fight for his health turned into a fight for the planet🌎 She’s now the Executive Director at Greenpeace, reshaping societal systems, addressing the climate crisis, safeguarding our planet, advancing racial justice and prioritizing people over profits💪 We’re taking a deep dive into the ways this iconic organization battles the climate crisis with bold, creative campaigns, like projecting powerful messages onto iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign. Throughout this conversation, Ebony inspires us to choose hope and remember the power of the collective in this work. Tune in to see how we all can create a greener, more peaceful, more just world for all🌿

💡 Learn

Overview of Greenpeace
The role we all play in taking care of our planet
Activation around Greenpeace’s mission

Today’s Guest

Ebony Twilley Martin, Executive Director, Greenpeace USA

“True peace is found in justice.”

— Ebony Twilley Martin, Executive Director, Greenpeace USA

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Ebony’s story and journey to where she is today (3:00)
Overview of Greenpeace (6:30)
Why now is a crucial time to discuss this and take action (11:20)
There is no climate justice without racial justice (13:00)
Our individual roles in the environmental movement (22:00)
Future of Greenpeace (27:00)
A powerful story of philanthropy in Ebony’s life (29:00)
Ebony’s One Good Thing: Lead. (33:00)
How to connect with Ebony and Greenpeace (37:00)

Impactful Quotes

“If we are to combat this climate crisis, we have to look at the underlying cause. It is with equity and race.” -Ebony

“True peace is found in justice.” -Ebony

“Green and peace have to go together in order for us to achieve true justice and liberation for everyone.” -Ebony

“When we take action, and do it in an inclusive way, we can create holistic solutions, and reduce the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. We can also ensure the burdens of the crisis are equitably distributed.” -Ebony

“When you take action, it’s creating solutions and hope. Hope is what we all have to hold on to.” -Ebony

“It’s about taking one action every day in the right direction, and you do that with hope as your foundation.” -Ebony

“I live in the environment so that by default makes me an environmentalist.” -Ebony

“Marketing is key to activism. Continue talking about the things that matter.” -Ebony

“We figured out that we have to send bolder, more direct communication to those that hold power.” -Ebony

“We can have that Hollywood ending, but it’s time for us to have the courage to create that ending.” -Ebony

“The biggest part of being an activist in channeling that courage, conviction and love.” -Becky

“Hope is the thing that drives you every day. It’s something you have to make a conscious decision to do.” -Ebony

“There are so many opportunities to get connected and take action.” -Ebony

“I see Greenpeace as it has always been, that beacon of hope. What I think we have to strive a bit more for is that cross-connection across the broader movement for justice and liberation.” -Ebony

“We all have the same goals, we all just want to live a life of peace and harmony where our children and we have the right to self-determination and can achieve our best selves. We all have that goal at the core.” -Ebony

“I would love to see the broader progressive movement focus on what connects us as opposed to what pulls us apart.” -Ebony
“We often focus on what disconnects us, but there are so many things that bring us together.” -Ebony

“This is why I’m so honored to sit at the feet of organizations like yours.” -Becky

“Our major funding source is our monthly donors. It moves me to tears.” -Ebony

“It is also where our power is rooted. Our power is found in the communities that we build.” -Ebony

“The power is so much stronger from the collective, and that’s been a part of your DNA.” -Jon

“Who are we creating the space for so folks can lead? That is what we need in this movement now. Leaders, those who are unapologetic, bold, and aren’t afraid to try new things.” -Ebony