In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah tore through Sri Lanka with devastating force. In the days after, the air felt heavy with silence. Not the quiet kind of silence, but the kind that follows destruction when people are still processing the shock of what has just happened. 

More than 600 people lost their lives. Over 300,000 were displaced. Homes, fishing boats, crops, and coastal ecosystems were destroyed. The damage crossed USD $4 billion dollars and entire communities had to rebuild from the ground up.  But numbers never tell the full story.

They cannot capture the loss of a childhood home, the destruction of a fishing boat passed down through generations, or the disappearance of a temple, a playground, or a coastline that was once home to an entire community.

When disaster hits, communities respond first

In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, people did not wait for help to arrive. Communities organised themselves, supported each other, and shared what little they had.

Greenpeace South Asia opened its office as a relief collection centre, mobilising volunteers and distributing essential supplies to affected families. It was a rapid response built on solidarity.

But even as relief efforts were underway, a deeper question began to take shape.

Why are communities always the first to respond to climate disasters, while the biggest polluters, who hold the greatest responsibility for the climate crisis, remain absent?

Changing the narrative around climate disasters

Cyclone Ditwah was not just another extreme weather event. Scientific analysis from World Weather Attribution confirmed what many already knew, climate change made rainfall 160% more intense than it would have been without the human-induced global warming of 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels. 

Sri Lanka also contributes less than 0.1% of global emissions. But like many climate disasters, communities who hold the least responsibility suffer the most devastating losses. 

This shifted the conversation.

Instead of treating Ditwah as an isolated tragedy, Greenpeace South Asia began building a public narrative around climate accountability, non-economic loss and damage, and the responsibility of major polluters.

Through media engagement, opinion pieces, interviews, and international coverage, the message was clear: communities should not be left to bear the cost of a crisis they did not create.

The call was simple and urgent: Polluters Must Pay.

Listening to the stories behind the numbers

Soon after, the Greenpeace South Asia team, along with journalists and researchers, travelled to the affected areas across Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands to document what communities were experiencing on the ground.

Families spoke about losing their homes, but also their memories. Communities spoke about the impact on children’s mental health and education, the disappearance of cultural spaces, damaged coastlines, and the loss of safety and belonging. Fisherfolk spoke about uncertainty, and young people spoke about fear for their future. These immeasurable losses are examples of what climate experts call non-economic loss and damage. 

To better understand the scale of impact, the team conducted spatial analysis based on satellite mapping gathered through Geographical Information Systems (GIS). These maps indicate an obvious connection between increased loss of vegetation, surface water accumulation, and greater disaster risk in the affected areas. The gathered evidence of environmental degradation, loss of vegetation, and poor planning showed how human decisions and climate change together shape disasters.

The findings reinforced a critical point: climate disasters are not just natural events; they are political and economic failures.

Communities as leaders, not victims

One of the strongest lessons from Ditwah was the role of communities as first responders.

Local heroes stepped forward, rescuing neighbours, organising relief, and supporting recovery efforts long before external help arrived. Informal networks became lifelines, ensuring that vulnerable families were not left behind.

Women, in particular, played a central role.

They organised food distribution, supported families, coordinated relief efforts, and kept communities functioning during the most difficult days. Yet, like in many climate disasters around the world, their leadership often remains invisible in formal decision-making spaces.

To recognise this, Greenpeace South Asia worked with the community in Manaar, one of the most impacted regions. Together, we created a mural on International Women’s Day that now stands as a reminder of the importance of women’s leadership and their key role in ensuring community resilience and climate justice.

From documentation to accountability

The stories, field research, and expert discussions that followed the cyclone led to the development of a climate accountability Issue Brief focused on Non-Economic Loss and Damage.

Experts from climate science, gender justice, political economy, and social policy came together to highlight a major gap in global climate response: the world still struggles to recognise and address losses that cannot be quantified in financial terms.

This gap has real consequences.

When non-economic losses are ignored, communities lose their histories, identities, and security without recognition or support. When polluters are not held accountable, the cycle of destruction continues.

Greenpeace South Asia aimed to change this via the Crisis to Collective project, to connect community experiences with global climate justice conversations and push for stronger accountability mechanisms.

Building resilience for the future

The project is now moving into its next phase, supporting the development of climate-resilient community spaces in one of the most affected areas.

These spaces are not just physical structures. They represent preparedness, collective action, and long-term resilience. They are places where communities can organise, share knowledge, and strengthen their ability to respond to future climate shocks.

A collective call to action

What began as a tragedy transformed into a movement for climate accountability, led by solidarity, storytelling, research, and advocacy. It showed that climate justice is not just about responding to disasters. It is about addressing the systems that cause them in the first place.

The fossil-fuel industry continues to profit while vulnerable communities pay the price. Governments continue to delay meaningful climate action while frontline communities rebuild again and again.

This needs to change. Polluters must pay for the damage they cause.

Non-Economic Loss and Damage must be recognised in climate policy, and communities must be at the centre of climate decision-making.

Ireland— On 8 May 2026, Greenpeace departs on a month-long mission to the Arctic deep-sea. The Deep Arctic Expedition brings together world-leading scientists to explore Arctic seamounts and hydrothermal vent fields – ecosystems so remote they remain largely a mystery to humanity.

“We are sailing into the planet’s uncharted and unexplored territory and will probably find new species that haven’t been described and named up to now,” said Dr. Paco Cárdenas, deep-sea sponge expert at the Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University. “These animals have survived for hundreds of millions of years, and we are connected to them in many ways. They are the chemical libraries of the ocean, holding potential cures for diseases and have the important function of cleaning our oceans. To lose these species before we even understand them would be a tragedy of global proportions. It’s essential that we protect them.”

The area of the expedition was opened for deep sea mining by the Norwegian government in 2024, but was halted last year after protests from environmental organisations, scientists and the green opposition parties in Norway.[1] Deep sea mining would, according to many scientists, cause irreversible damage to vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems, including the destruction of habitats, and possibly species extinction.

The expedition will focus on exploring seamounts, which are biodiversity hotspots in the deep sea, and hydrothermal vent fields – underwater volcanic hot springs that support life in total darkness. Greenpeace and the external scientists onboard will be livestreaming from depths down to 3000 metres.[2]

Dr. Anne Helene Tandberg, from the University Museum of Bergen, is a specialist on the crustaceans that live in these environments, and has described many species previously unknown to man. She also works with Red Listing marine species and habitats and provides scientific background for establishing Marine Protected Areas. She emphasizes the connectivity of these ecosystems.

“The Nordic and Arctic deep seas are the heartbeat of our northern oceans,” says Dr. Tandberg. “From the smallest amphipod to the largest seamount, these sites are interconnected. We see this in both species composition and genetic variability. We aren’t just looking at rocks, animals and water; we are documenting the vital organs of a global ecosystem that keeps our planet habitable.”

The Arctic is one of the most rapidly changing and underprotected regions on Earth. As the industrial frontier expands toward the deep sea, Greenpeace warns that unique ‘biodiversity hotspots’ are now at risk of irreversible disruption.

“We cannot protect what we do not know,” said Dr. Sandra Schöttner, chief scientist with Greenpeace International. “This expedition will gather scientific evidence of the Arctic’s vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems. By safeguarding these waters in a network of ocean sanctuaries, we can create a resilient safety net for marine life and protect the health of our global oceans for generations to come. 

The expedition will conclude in Bergen, Norway in early June, presenting its initial findings to the public and policy-makers. Greenpeace is campaigning globally for a moratorium on deep sea mining and to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.

ENDS

Photos, video and maps available in the Greenpeace Media Library. 

Notes:
[1] Deep-sea mining: Norway halts controversial practice until 2029 (Euronews)

[2] Expedition dates: 8 May – 5 June. Livestreams from the Arctic seabed are planned between 15-30 May. Scientists onboard from Sweden (Uppsala University), Spain (University of Madrid), Norway (University in Bergen), and Germany (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research). Languages spoken: English, French, German, Spanish/Catalan, Norwegian, Swedish

[3] Greenpeace International, Greenpeace Germany and Greenpeace Nordicare leading the Deep Arctic Expedition.

Contact:
Daniel Bengtsson, Communications Lead Onboard, Greenpeace Nordic, +46 70 300 9510 (Whatsapp/Signal), daniel.bengtsson@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

An illegal intervention in international waters, a solar powered mosque in Jakarta, and a headache for a global meat giant in Amsterdam. Here are a few of our favourite images from Greenpeace work around the world this week.

Netherlands – Greenpeace Netherlands activists have disrupted the first-ever shareholder meeting of meat giant JBS in the Netherlands. At the Sheraton Hotel at Schiphol Airport, where the meeting took place, activists hung a banner dripping with fake blood that read: ‘JBS: Keep your bloody business out of Africa’. A massive banner with the same message was displayed in the hotel lobby. Activists entered the meeting hall, where Greenpeace Director Marieke Vellekoop personally served an information request to the JBS CEOs. This document formally signals that Greenpeace Netherlands is taking legal action against the company. The goal of the legal battle is to block JBS’s destructive expansion plans in Nigeria.

International Waters off the coast of Greece – Crew members from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise provide support to vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla which, on the evening of 29th April, were illegally seized in international waters by Israeli forces as the flotilla attempted to break the long standing illegal blockade of Gaza.

Israeli forces boarded vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla and illegally detained approximately 175 peaceful individuals in international waters, 45 nautical miles west of the Greek island Kythira and 600 nautical miles from Gaza, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Flotilla organisers. Crew of the Arctic Sunrise confirms that many vessels are left abandoned and severely damaged at sea.

With the Arctic Sunrise, Greenpeace has been providing logistical support to the flotilla. The Arctic Sunrise is currently in Greek territorial waters where it is supporting 32 vessels and escorting them to get safely at anchor in Crete, Greece. Greenpeace will attend to technical and maritime issues, and medical support where needed.

Colombia – Greenpeace Colombia unfurls a banner on the beach of Santa Marta, reading “Sol y viento: Futuro Energetico” (“Sun and Wind: The Energy Future”) during the First Conference on Transitioning away from fossil fuels, organised by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands.

Indonesia- To commemorate International Workers’ Day (May 1st), Greenpeace Indonesia, part of the Labor Movement with the People (GEBRAK), calls for the fulfillment of basic workers’ rights amidst the multi-layered crises that increasingly pressures people’s lives: from economic instability, soaring living costs, the climate crisis, and global conflict. Amid these overlapping pressures, one thing is certain: Workers Deserve Better!

USA – In a play on the Washington Post’s famous slogan “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” Greenpeace activists challenge that “Democracy Dies by Billionaire” with a lit up message in front of the Washington Post’s Office. The action marks World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2026. Since Billionaire Jeff Bezos has taken over control of the news outlet, climate and environmental coverage has dramatically declined, no doubt due to cuts to climate, environment and energy reporters.

DRC – Volunteers in Mbandaka brought together 30 teachers and administrative staff from three primary schools for an orientation session on the mini-campaign “Climate Guardians: Children’s Voices to Protect the Congo Basin Forest.” This phase focused on the identification of pilot schools, structuring of educational calendars, and launch of the mini-campaign activities. It also marked the close of phase one and prepared the next steps, including mentoring 25 Climate Guardians, creating school gardens, and launching student-led environmental activities.

Indonesia – Greenpeace volunteers install solar panels at the Jami Keramat Luar Batang Mosque, North Jakarta. Greenpeace Indonesia installed solar panels at the mosque as part of a community-based renewable energy initiative, opening access to clean energy for the community and supporting the acceleration of a just energy transition.

Croatia – Greenpeace activists transformed part of central Zagreb square into a sun, next to a large banner: “Sun lowers bills”. We emphasized that fossil fuels and global conflicts increase uncertainty and drive inflation. The solution is right here, at home. It’s time for Croatia to shift to renewable energy, especially solar, where Croatia has immense potential.

Greenpeace has been a pioneer of photo activism for more than 50 years, and remains committed to bearing witness and exposing environmental injustice through the images we capture.

To see more Greenpeace photos and videos, visit our Media Library.