Leadership
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size="+2">Creations: Movements, Organizations, Programs, and
Expeditionsface="Arial">With hot links where available. <img
src="etlogocolor2.gif" naturalsizeflag="3" align="right"
border="0" height="99" width="86">face="Arial" size="+2">Organizations Created or
Co-Founded
<font
face="Arial" size="+1"><a
href="https://earthtrust.org/">EarthTrust
<a
href="http://greenpeacefoundation.com/">Greenpeace Foundation<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://greenpeaceusa.org/">Greenpeace USA<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.defenders.org/citabout.html">Species
Survival Network face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/ffbrief.html">The Flipper
Foundation face="Arial" size="+1">
Institute for Pacific Marine Research
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/fsa.html">Flipper Fund<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/nz.html">Earthtrust New
Zealand face="Arial" size="+1">naturalsizeflag="3" align="right" border="0"
height="80" width="101">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/ej.html">Earthtrust Taiwan<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/gif/dnwunteam.gif">Earthtrust
Europe face="Arial" size="+1">
Earthforcesize="+2">International Programs Created
<font
face="Arial" size="+1">International Campaign to Ban
Deep-sea Driftnets - 1981-91<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/stwi.html">Save the Whales
International face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/fsa.html">The Flipper Seal
of Approval face="Arial" size="+1">naturalsizeflag="3" align="right" border="0"
height="101" width="101">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/dnw.html">The DriftNetwork<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/dnaproj.html">DNA Alliance
for Wildlife face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=3">Greenpeace
International Dolphin Campaign<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/ewi.html">Asian Wildlife
Initiative face="Arial" size="+1">
Dolphin Action Group
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/delphis.html">Project Delphissize="+2">International Campaigns and Expeditions Created
and/or Directed:<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=2"><font
face="Arial" size="+1">Ohana Kai Pacific Whaling
Campaign, 1977-79<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/dnaproj.html">Whale DNA
Initiative, 1983-2000 face="Arial" size="+1"> , (and <font
face="Arial" size="+1"><a
href="http://www.earthtrust.org/dnapress27jan99.html">another
link) face="Arial" size="+1">
Japan Award Ceremony, 1985
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/action/campInfo.cfm?campId=12">Invasion
of the Soviet Mainland, 1983
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=3">World's
first Driftnet Expedition, 1983
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/npacific.html">North Pacific
Driftnet Expedition, 1988 face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/dnwcap.html">Tasman Sea
Driftnet Expedition, 1989 face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=10">Undercover
- Dall's Porpoise Kill 1984
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/drivekills.html">International
Iki Island Campaign, 1979-82
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/ewi.html">Taiwan Rhino/Tiger
Trafficking Exposes, 1992
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/kuwait.html">Campaign to
Protect Kuwait Wildlife and Habitat, 1990-91 <font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
Hawaii Toxic Pesticides Campaign, 1984-6
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=9">Hawaiian
Humpback Sanctuary, 1983-85<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=7">Monk
Seal Critical Habitat, 1985<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=11">Banning
Nuke Waste Transit of Hawaii, 1979<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
Phase Shift/Stable State Environmental campaign strategy, 1996-present
(see vision section)
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=5">Central
American Sustainable Fisheries Tour, 1982
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=6">Peruvian
Whaling Campaign, 1982
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/strand.html">Cetacean
Stranding Workshops and Network, 1988-92
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/iwc.html">Whaling Commission
Reform Campaign, 1979-present
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=4">Campaign
to Free Dexter Cate, 1980 <font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
Phillipine Pirate Whaling Investigation, 1993
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/korea.html">Korean Whaling
Campaign, 1985-86 face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/saiki.html">MMPA
Reauthorization, 1988 face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=12">Hydrofoils
VS. Habitat Campaign, 1991<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
DCPIA Amendment, 1990
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/prezltr2.html">IDCPA
Amendment, 1997 face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.greenpeacefoundation.com/history/histsub.cfm?hiid=10">Dalls
Porpoise NMFS Campaign, 1982-83<font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/starkist.html">Signing of
Starkist and Watties under FSA, 1991
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/hector.html">Hector's
Dolphin Campaign, 1992
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/turtle.html">Sea Turtle
Protection project, 1990-present <font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
Campaign to protect Kaula Island Refuge
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/penghu.html">Ending Taiwan
Cetacean Drive-kills 1990-92
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.org/prezltr2.html#DNA">Dolphin
Meat Mislabeling Campaign, 1997-present <font
color="#330099" face="Arial" size="+1">
ETP Sustainable Fishery Initiative 1997-present
The Delphis Interlink - Dolphin Communication, 1998-present (website
under construction, but here is <font
face="Arial" size="+1"><a
href="http://www.tomigaya.shibuya.tokyo.jp/lilly/touchscreen00.html">one
general link face="Arial" size="+1"> and <font
face="Arial" size="+1"><a
href="http://www.tomigaya.shibuya.tokyo.jp/%7Ebigtwin/MOON/">here's
another face="Arial" size="+1">)
<a
href="http://www.earthtrust.com/spinnerstudy.html">Wild
Spinner Study, 1995-presentThe
above listings are representative campaigns only, and in no particular
order. During the past 25 years there have been literally hundreds of
other programs and campaigns, from small to large, done by EarthTrust,
Greenpeace Foundation, Greenpeace USA, Flipper Foundation, and other
groups under Don's initiation, direction and responsibility. It is
beyond the practical scope of this page to even attempt to list them
all. Rather, if one wanted, they could compile the total number of
programs and achievements of each of these organizations while under
his direction. That has never been done, and may never be: many of
these programs exist nowhere on the web at this time. As another note,
many of the "single line" campaigns listed here really encompassed
dozens of separate expeditions and initiatives. Moreover, not listed
are the dozens of public-interest lawsuits, legislative initiatives, or
key support provided by DW to other organizations.
Creations: Movements, Organizations, Programs, and Expeditions
With hot links where available.
Organizations Created or Co-Founded
EarthTrust
Greenpeace Foundation
Greenpeace USA
Species Survival Network
The Flipper Foundation
Institute for Pacific Marine Research
Flipper Fund
Earthtrust New Zealand
Earthtrust Taiwan
Earthtrust Europe
Earthforce
International Programs Created
International Campaign to Ban Deep-sea Driftnets – 1981-91
Save the Whales International
The Flipper Seal of Approval
The DriftNetwork
DNA Alliance for Wildlife
Greenpeace International Dolphin Campaign
Asian Wildlife Initiative
Dolphin Action Group
Project Delphis
International Campaigns and Expeditions Created and/or Directed:
Ohana Kai Pacific Whaling Campaign, 1977-79
Whale DNA Initiative, 1983-2000 , (and another link)
Japan Award Ceremony, 1985
Invasion of the Soviet Mainland, 1983
World’s first Driftnet Expedition, 1983
North Pacific Driftnet Expedition, 1988
Tasman Sea Driftnet Expedition, 1989
Undercover – Dall’s Porpoise Kill 1984
International Iki Island Campaign, 1979-82
Taiwan Rhino/Tiger Trafficking Exposes, 1992
Campaign to Protect Kuwait Wildlife and Habitat, 1990-91
Hawaii Toxic Pesticides Campaign, 1984-6
Hawaiian Humpback Sanctuary, 1983-85
Monk Seal Critical Habitat, 1985
Banning Nuke Waste Transit of Hawaii, 1979
Phase Shift/Stable State Environmental campaign strategy, 1996-present (see vision section)
Central American Sustainable Fisheries Tour, 1982
Peruvian Whaling Campaign, 1982
Cetacean Stranding Workshops and Network, 1988-92
Whaling Commission Reform Campaign, 1979-present
Campaign to Free Dexter Cate, 1980
Phillipine Pirate Whaling Investigation, 1993
Korean Whaling Campaign, 1985-86
MMPA Reauthorization, 1988
Hydrofoils VS. Habitat Campaign, 1991
DCPIA Amendment, 1990
IDCPA Amendment, 1997
Dalls Porpoise NMFS Campaign, 1982-83
Signing of Starkist and Watties under FSA, 1991
Hector’s Dolphin Campaign, 1992
Sea Turtle Protection project, 1990-present
Campaign to protect Kaula Island Refuge
Ending Taiwan Cetacean Drive-kills 1990-92
Dolphin Meat Mislabeling Campaign, 1997-present
ETP Sustainable Fishery Initiative 1997-present
The Delphis Interlink – Dolphin Communication, 1998-present (website under construction, but here is one general link and here’s another)
Wild Spinner Study, 1995-present
The above listings are representative campaigns only, and in no particular order. During the past 25 years there have been literally hundreds of other programs and campaigns, from small to large, done by EarthTrust, Greenpeace Foundation, Greenpeace USA, Flipper Foundation, and other groups under Don’s initiation, direction and responsibility. It is beyond the practical scope of this page to even attempt to list them all. Rather, if one wanted, they could compile the total number of programs and achievements of each of these organizations while under his direction. That has never been done, and may never be: many of these programs exist nowhere on the web at this time. As another note, many of the “single line” campaigns listed here really encompassed dozens of separate expeditions and initiatives. Moreover, not listed are the dozens of public-interest lawsuits, legislative initiatives, or key support provided by DW to other organizations.
This bio information has been compiled by friends of the conservation-innovation group EarthTrust, to fill the gap for frequently-requested information on the man who founded and currently directs the organization. This is not limited to his work within EarthTrust, since that is only a part of a larger picture.
Don White (pen name DJ White) is one of the world’s most experienced and successful conservationists. In his 38 years on the front lines of environmental advocacy, he has been responsible for changing many global issues, and has created and directed an array of highly successful organizations, programs, projects, expeditions, and initiatives.
Whether they realize it or not, everyone has heard of his work and seen the images of his creations. However, few people realize how many well-known events and seemingly-unrelated breakthroughs he has been responsible for.
This is largely due to his practice of expanding the conservation movement by training others to be the primary spokespersons for his campaigns. It’s also due to the fact that his campaigns themselves often achieve success by giving the public credit to others.
Early History
Don was born in 1950 in Indianapolis to artist parents who were themselves innovators, authors, inventors, and idealists. His childhood was dominated by fishing, making big things that would fly, making things explode, and enjoying nature. A voracious reader who didn’t care much for school, Don learned what interested him while ignoring most of his school classes.
He paid for his first year of college by catching mosquitos at a nickel apiece. His subsequent years were paid for by factory work. Originally a physics major, he switched to geology, graduating in 1972.
While in college, he kept reading. Thus began an in-depth study of dolphins and whales which stemmed from his interest in the nature of self-aware intelligence, and of the prospects for life in the universe beyond the earth. He also took or audited every environmentally-related course offered by the university. During this time, a personal ethic was evolving.
Shortly after graduation, he became a working oil-industry Geophysicist, which had the advantage of allowing him to fly around the world and be in nature while making things explode. However, the explosive and exploitive nature of the work was hard to reconcile with his increasingly-firm conservationist feelings, and he abruptly quit this lucrative career in 1975 to devote his life to conservation. His studies and work in paleontology gave him a multi-million-year perspective on evolution and extinction which found its way into his philosopy.
Don has always been a teacher by inclination. He taught inner-city science classes in Indianapolis, taught Geology in a traveling wild-west summer camp, spent two years working double jobs as a high school science teacher in Honolulu, created the largest program of marine-mammal conservation lectures in Hawaii, and has touched millions through his writings and televised productions.
Although he jokes about it, Don has been officially tested with personality type INTJ by the popular Meyers-Briggs standard.
Since 1977, he has been married to Sharon Sue Difloure White (“Susie White”) who is herself a well-known working-class fisheries conservation activist and NGO director. They have no children, but train border collies who keep them busy. They live in Kailua, Hawaii in a working-activist home they designed and built on a shoestring. Over the years, they have made an art of living on little to no income, due to their frequent choice of refusing to take salaries when their programs need the money, and by spending most of their savings on environmental campaigns which could not otherwise be funded.
DJ White is one of the world’s premier environmental visionaries,
strategists, and innovators. He has never been afraid to roll up his sleeves and dive into an issue, even when conventional wisdom said he was tackling an impossible task. Indeed, he takes on such “impossible missions” by preference, since they are best suited to his talents and usually deadlocked.
To this task, he brings a formidable array of knowledge. White is conversant in physics, biology, acoustics, computer science, electronics, business management and administration, law, legislation, treaties, marketing, audio and video production, mathematical theory, medicine, molecular biology, psychology, astronomy, and many other disciplines. He often applies these cross-disciplinarily in creative approaches to problems.
Don has two brothers, one of whom is a singer/songwriter who directs a midwestern television station, the other of whom is a famous writer and the last page in “Ripley’s Book of Human Oddities”. For fun, Don plays guitar, paddles his kayak, and goes diving.