Irving and Dorothy Stowe, who later became influential in the founding of Greenpeace, married in 1953. They were both activists and deeply influenced by the nuclear bomb threats of the time.

The Golden Rule, a Quaker protest boat, sailed from California to Enewetak Island nuclear test site in the Philippine Sea in 1958. The captain, Albert Bigalow, was arrested by the US Coast Guard, sparking international attention and pacifist movements.

A book titled 'Warriors of the Rainbow: Strange and Prophetic Dreams of the Indians' was published by Naturegraph Publishers in 1963, written by William Willoya and Vinson Brown.

Bob Hunter, along with activists like Irving Stowe, Deeno Birmingham, and others, formed an ad hoc group within the Sierra Club called 'The Don’t Make a Wave Committee' to protest against nuclear testing.

The certificate of incorporation of The 'Don't Make a Wave Committee' dates the incorporation to the fifth of October, 1970.

A benefit concert organized by Irving Stowe, supported by Joan Baez, took place on October 16, 1970 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. The concert provided the financial basis for the first Greenpeace campaign.

On September 15, 1971, the Greenpeace ship sailed towards Amchitka but faced opposition from the U.S. Coast Guard ship Confidence, leading to a forced return. Despite challenges, their protest gained sympathy and highlighted the dangers of nuclear testing.

After the first Greenpeace action in 1971, the US decides to abandon the nuclear testing grounds at Amchitka Island, Alaska.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague condemns the French Government's atmospheric nuclear weapons testing program after New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji take a case against the tests to the court. Greenpeace had protested at the Moruroa Atoll test site in 1972 and 1973.

France announces at the UN General Assembly that it will no longer test its nuclear weapons in the atmosphere but instead move them into shafts drilled down into the rock under the lagoon at Moruroa Atoll.

France stops conducting atmospheric tests in the South Pacific following Greenpeace protests at the test site.

In June of 1975, Greenpeace conducted their first whaling protests using motorized inflatable lifeboats to shield whales from harpoons. This action shifted the perception of whalers from heroes to ecologists risking their lives to protect whales.

In 1976, Patrick Moore altered his position on nuclear power, transitioning from opposing it to supporting it. Moore argued for increased use of nuclear energy to combat fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is the regional office of Greenpeace that focuses on environmental issues in Australia, the Pacific region, and Antarctica.

In November 1978, Jon Hinck joined Greenpeace Seattle after answering a Help Wanted ad in a Greenpeace magazine. He started as a salesperson and later became the campaign director, leading successful environmental initiatives in the Northwest Coast.

On October 14, 1979, Greenpeace International was established after European Greenpeace groups paid the debt of the Canadian Greenpeace office. The new structure allowed local offices to contribute to the international organization, which set the overall direction of the movement.

After 10 years of campaigning against and confronting illegal whalers at sea, Greenpeace successfully changed the public's opinion on whaling to negative in 1982.

On July 10, 1985, the Rainbow Warrior, which was protesting French nuclear testing on Mururoa Atoll, was sunk in Aukland, New Zealand by explosions that ripped through its hull. The incident resulted in the death of crewman Fernando Pereira.

One of the Greenpeace co-founders, Patrick Moore, left the organization in 1986 due to disagreements over its stance on chlorine and dioxin. He then began working against Greenpeace and supporting nuclear power companies.

Throughout 1989, Greenpeace campaigns and protests to eliminate radioactive and toxic waste dumping in the ocean, with a specific focus on persuading Shell oil company to cease all ocean waste dumping.

In August 1990, NZ Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer announces that the NZ Government will no longer support mining and oil exploitation in Antarctica after meeting with Greenpeace campaigners. This decision comes after activists dressed in penguin costumes protested outside Parliament during MV Gondwana's visit to Wellington.

On October 4, 1991, Antarctic Treaty nations agree in Madrid to protect Antarctica from mining and oil exploitation. This decision follows a seven-year campaign by Greenpeace, including setting up a base in Antarctica. The agreement designates Antarctica as a natural reserve for peace and science.

On September 24, 1992, Greenpeace welcomes the news that the USA joins the nuclear testing moratorium initiated by Soviet President Gorbachev in 1991.

The UN General Assembly passes a global ban on driftnet fishing on the high seas on December 31, 1992, following a campaign by Greenpeace to highlight the harmful effects on marine wildlife. The ban was proposed by the NZ Government in 1990.

The London Dumping Convention agrees to ban ocean waste dumping and ocean incineration of industrial waste after a Greenpeace campaign.

Greenpeace's efforts in exposing the toxic waste trade from OECD to non-OECD countries result in the negotiation of the Basel Convention, which prohibits this harmful practice.

After persistent activism by Greenpeace against whaling, the proposal for an Antarctic whale sanctuary, championed by France and Greenpeace, is accepted by the International Whaling Commission.

In response to a notable campaign by Greenpeace and public outcry, Shell UK changes its plans and decides against dumping the Brent Spar oil platform in the Atlantic Ocean.

Greenpeace welcomes a special statement by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Auckland condemning the French Government's resumption of nuclear testing and calling for an international treaty banning all nuclear tests and nuclear weapons. Greenpeace had attended the meeting as an observer and encouraged attendees to condemn the nuclear tests.

Over seven million people sign petitions to stop French nuclear testing in response to Greenpeace actions. France, UK, US, Russia, and China commit to signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Greenpeace led a successful global campaign from June 1995 to January 1996 to end the French Government's nuclear testing program and demand a UN Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after the new French President Chirac temporarily resumed nuclear testing at Moruroa Atoll.

Ministers from industrialized nations adopt the Kyoto Protocol, setting legally-binding reduction targets on greenhouse gases after years of campaigning by Greenpeace and others for urgent climate action.

Shell agrees to bring the Brent Spar offshore installation to land for recycling, following a campaign by Greenpeace to prevent ocean dumping of disused installations.

In 1998, Greenpeace conducted campaigns and protests against Shell Oil Company's ocean oil drilling platform. With global support, Greenpeace successfully prevented the platform from being dumped into the ocean and ensured its recycling onshore.

In 1999, Greenpeace UK activists uprooted the Chardon LL crop, a genetically engineered maize variety, as a protest against its cultivation. The activists were later acquitted of criminal damage charges as their actions were deemed to be in the interest of environmental protection.

Greenpeace, with consumer networks in 15 countries, tests products, gathers information on food products and policies, and reveals contamination cases to ensure genetically engineered ingredients are kept out of products.

On 31 November 1995, Greenpeace cautiously welcomed a High Court ruling in the case of Greenpeace vs NZ Minister of Fisheries, emphasizing the application of the precautionary approach in setting fishing quotas.

The NZ Government announces a moratorium on genetic engineering (GE) research, a move that Greenpeace had been advocating for since 1996.

An import ban is adopted on all bigeye tuna caught by flag of convenience (FOC or 'pirate') vessels in the Atlantic after Greenpeace's efforts in exposing pirate fishing.

The NZ Government signs the new Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Treaty, eliminating 'dirty dozen' POPs including dioxins, following a campaign by Greenpeace and community groups.

Greenpeace successfully opposes a move by Japan and pro-whaling nations to reintroduce commercial whaling through the International Whaling Commission, protecting whales under the 1982 ban.

The NZ Government passes legislation enabling New Zealand to combat climate change through the Kyoto Protocol, praised by Greenpeace for international efforts.

A French court lifts an injunction against Greenpeace for using a parody version of the Esso logo, ruling it as protected speech.

Intense lobbying efforts by Greenpeace and Global Witness lead to the imposition of UN Sanctions on Liberia due to illegal logging activities.

Esso lost a court case against Greenpeace in France regarding a parody logo created by Greenpeace as part of their campaign against the oil giant. The French court ruled in favor of Greenpeace, defending the logo as an exercise in free speech.

After years of lobbying by Greenpeace and other environmental organizations, the Stockholm Convention is implemented. The Convention aims to eliminate Persistent Organic Pollutants, including pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins, which are harmful chemicals released from various industries.

In 2004, Iceland decided to reduce its plans to kill 500 minke, sei, and fin whales over two years to a quota of only 25 minkes for the year. This decision came after Greenpeace activists gathered 50,000 signatures worldwide to stop whaling in Iceland, highlighting the economic value of whale watching over whaling.

In 2005, Rainbow Warrior II ran aground on and damaged the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines while inspecting for coral bleaching. Greenpeace was fined for the damage, despite claiming outdated charts were provided by the Philippines government.

The Wall Street Journal reported in March 2006 that PIW's tax filing claimed a significant portion of Greenpeace USA's contributions came from ExxonMobil, raising concerns about funding sources.

In August 2006, Greenpeace released the first edition of Guide to Greener Electronics, ranking mobile and PC manufacturers based on their green performance and toxic material usage.

Greenpeace applauds the Environment Court's decision to approve a major wind energy project near Wellington, supporting the project due to its significance in helping New Zealand reduce carbon emissions.

Greenpeace applauds the New Zealand Government's new thermal generation moratorium but expresses disappointment that the legislation does not require cuts to existing carbon emissions.

The New Zealand Government announces the establishment of four new marine mammal sanctuaries, region-level fishing bans, and other restrictions to protect Maui and Hector's dolphins after public pressure from environmental groups including Greenpeace.

The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna reduces the annual catch quota by 20% for the 2010/2011 fishing seasons following a Greenpeace campaign to halt the decline of the species in a fishery deemed 'collapsed'.

Greenpeace welcomes the New Zealand Government's reversal on mining 'Schedule 4' protected public conservation lands after a campaign that included a massive public march against the plans, organized by Greenpeace and others.

In July 2011, Greenpeace released the Dirty Laundry report, accusing top fashion and sportswear brands of releasing toxic waste into China's rivers due to the textile industry's use of hazardous chemicals.

Brazilian oil giant Petrobras returns its offshore oil prospecting permits to the NZ Government, following opposition to deep sea drilling by Greenpeace and other groups.

Sealord decides to phase-out a harmful tuna fishing method that endangers marine life, in response to pressure from Greenpeace targeting its tuna brands.

On December 16, 2013, a Greenpeace environmental activist, dressed as a mermaid, protested by holding a banner while sitting on a freezer in a supermarket in Prague.

New Zealand passes a law banning shark finning, with Greenpeace supporting some aspects but urging for stronger conservation efforts.

On 27 May 2014, Greenpeace's ship, MV Esperanza, occupied Statoil's oil rig in the Barents Sea, rendering it inoperable. After a series of events, including activists being captured by Norwegian police, the rig was eventually towed away by the Norwegian Coast Guard.

On 30 May 2014, the Norwegian Coast Guard towed away Greenpeace's ship, Esperanza, from the Barents Sea after Greenpeace's interference with Statoil's activities. This action followed a plea submitted by Greenpeace to the Norwegian Environment Minister.

Shell halts its oil drilling operations in the Alaskan Arctic due to widespread opposition and activism led by Greenpeace and other grassroots movements.

Shell postpones its oil and gas drilling plans in the Great South Basin after facing public resistance from Greenpeace and local Oil-Free groups.

Landcorp announces it will no longer use palm kernel expeller imported from overseas as feed on its farms, following a nine-year campaign by Greenpeace to stop PKE imports to NZ.

Fonterra announces plans to clean up its use of palm kernel expeller and transition to responsible palm oil products globally, following an eight-year campaign against its use of PKE by Greenpeace.

Oil giant Shell decides to offload its $1 billion New Zealand portfolio, seen as a significant blow to the NZ Government's petroleum agenda, welcomed by Greenpeace.

Auckland Council votes to oppose the Government's offshore oil agenda in New Zealand, supported by Greenpeace and other groups after a mobilisation against offshore oil exploration in the city.

Texan oil giant Anadarko scales back its search for oil in New Zealand, a move welcomed by Greenpeace as part of the ongoing efforts against oil exploration.

In March 2017, the Mobilisation Lab (MobLab) transitioned out of Greenpeace following a joint investment by Greenpeace and CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

In 2018, Greenpeace found that Wilmar International, the largest palm-oil trader, was linked to forest destruction in Papua, Indonesia. Wilmar was accused of breaking their 2013 commitment to end deforestation and causing deforestation twice the size of Paris.

In 2019, Greenpeace activists protested outside the annual meeting of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica, advocating for a global ocean treaty to ban deep sea mining in ocean sanctuaries. The activists arrived aboard Greenpeace's ship, the Esperanza, after sailing from the threatened area known as the Lost City in the mid-Atlantic.

After eight years of campaigning by Greenpeace and others, Turkey's plans to build its first nuclear reactors at Akkuyu as part of a larger project to construct 10 reactors by the year 2020, is finally cancelled in July.

In December 2020, Norway's Supreme Court upheld ongoing oil exploration activities challenged by Greenpeace and Nature and Youth Norway. The court ruled that the exploration did not violate human rights.

Greenpeace celebrates the announcement that the NZ Oil & Gas Company will relinquish its deep sea exploration permit off the south coast of the South Island, considering it a win for the climate, wildlife, and people power.

Greenpeace welcomes the NZ Government's move to require all fish caught to be landed and fitted with surveillance cameras, but emphasizes the need for more actions to monitor fish catches and protect marine life.

Greenpeace welcomes the NZ Government's announcement of new protections in the Hauraki Gulf, including marine protection areas and trawling restrictions, but highlights the necessity for further marine protection measures.

In March 2022, Greenpeace activists intercepted a 50,000 ton Greek vessel delivering Russian oil to the port of New York to protest against the continuous deliveries of Russian oil despite President Biden's call for sanctions.

On 19 May 2023, Russia's Prosecutor-General's Office labeled Greenpeace as an undesirable organization, accusing it of meddling in Russia's internal affairs, undermining the country's economy, and supporting Russian organizations considered 'foreign agents'.

In March 2024, a lawsuit filed by Total after Greenpeace published information about the underestimation of Total's greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 was dismissed by a Parisian court. Greenpeace highlighted the significance of this decision due to similar pending cases in other courts.