Greenpeace May Have Permanently Damaged An Ancient, Sacred Site. Now What? Greenpeace International set off a firestorm in Peru last week, and not the kind it had hoped for. After a few of its members damaged, perhaps irreparably, one of the most...

Greenpeace May Have Permanently Damaged An Ancient, Sacred Site. Now What?

Greenpeace International set off a firestorm in Peru last week, and not the kind it had hoped for. After a few of its members damaged, perhaps irreparably, one of the most important cultural heritage sites in the country, a debate is beginning over how to interpret the environmental groups offensive actions.

Greenpeace’s intention was good, some argue. It’s not like the whole organization was in on it. Think of all the other important acts Greenpeace has done in the past, they say. The climate movement needs Greenpeace.

But others maintain Greenpeace International committed a grave offense. Its illegal actions illustrated the group’s willingness to disrespect cultural patrimony for the sake of making a headline. And in a way, its attempt to promote renewable energy may have actually set back that very cause, as political opponents jump on the story as indicative of a radical and crass organization with no real respect for the environment.

This is the dispute that has preoccupied climate and environmental advocates since it was discovered last week that Greenpeace had trespassed on to the world-renowned Nazca Lines to lay a bright yellow banner urging a switch to renewable energy. The combination of banner-plus-Peruvian World Heritage site was meant to draw attention to the U.N. climate talks being held in nearby Lima. But the stunt backfired, and Peruvian officials say the activists’ footprints permanently damaged the area surrounding the ancient hummingbird geoglyph.

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    Good fucking lord. The intent may have been good, but you have to think before you act! And in this case, before you pit...
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