Emma has been a volunteer intern for three months in the Sydney office for our Oceans campaign. She has a degree in marine biology, and got to put her studies into use researching the sustainability of canned tuna in Australia.
Why did you choose to volunteer with Greenpeace?
Greenpeace is one of the world’s biggest environmental organisations and has done so much for conservation over the years. I wanted to be a part of that and help reach thousands of people in Australia and internationally.
Plus, being an intern here is really good experience for my career because I want to work in marine conservation.
What kind of work have you been involved in at Greenpeace?
I primarily work on the oceans campaign sector, researching fishy stuff! I helped research the background for the canned tuna ranking campaign and fisheries sustainability.
I got to apply skills I learned at uni, and gain lots of new ones – especially related to how NGOs work.
I’ve also volunteered with other little jobs around the office, and helped out with rallies, marches and events like the Seafood Show.
Have there been any highlights?
Tuna!! Getting the tuna ranking released was fantastic, seeing the result of our work starting to reach people.
Days when everyone gathered around – in the kitchen for a birthday, in a meeting for an important announcement, off heading for a rally. Greenpeace staff and volunteers are such a great bunch of people, it’s awesome just to be around the good vibes!!
Oh yes, and volunteer outings together to all the free shows/exhibitions/stuff we could find in Sydney.
What’s the most important environmental issue for you?
Getting ‘ordinary people’ to change their outlook on saving our planet and realising that no-one is ordinary, everyone can be a superhero!!
That, and saving the oceans. They are the least understood, least explored, most complex, influential and fascinating ecosystems on our planet. To me it is vitally important that we conserve this living resource for future generations. Along with everything else.
What are your next steps after Greenpeace?
I’m on a working holiday visa in Australia, so more traveling and working lies ahead. And then either a masters degree and/or trying to get a job in a similar field (marine conservation). I’m sure my time here has given me loads of experience which will be really helpful in achieving these goals!
Can you sum up your time with Greenpeace so far in a single quote?
Inspirational. Mahatma Gandhi said: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” At Greenpeace that change is all around us.
