|
|
|
Greenpeace
is an independent campaigning organisation that uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and to force solutions which are essential to a green and peaceful future.
|
|
Vision
Within hours of his death, messages of condolence from all over the world poured into the Amsterdam offices of Greenpeace International, the organisation which he chaired from 1979 until 1991 and which bears his mark so strongly. It is largely as a result of his leadership that Greenpeace became a truly global force.
A man of tremendous determination and energy, David McTaggart was the driving force behind two of Greenpeace's most notable campaign successes: the preservation of the Antarctic wilderness from oil exploitation and the halting of commercial whaling.
In his refusal to accept that any odds were too great, of any challenge too big, David was a living example of the difference an individual can make.
One example stands out. In 1972 he temporarily halted the French government's atmospheric nuclear weapons testing programme by sailing directly into the test zone in the Pacific Ocean. Despite the beatings and intimidation, and some extremely testing weather conditions, he dogged the French authorities on the high seas and in the courts with a single-mindedness that was maintained until victory was his; France abandoned the test programme in 1974.
Over the length of his career David McTaggart published numerous articles and two books. Awards for his contributions to environmentalism worldwide include the Onassis Award, The Kreisky Prize, and the United Nations Environmental Programme's Global 500 award.
After leaving Greenpeace, David retired to his farm in Italy to nurture his organic olive trees. From this peaceful spot he continued to work on whaling and other issues through his own foundation. His death is a tremendous loss to Greenpeace, the environmental movement and the world.
David Fraser McTaggart, born 24 June 1932 in Vancouver, Canada, Died 1932 in Umbria, Italy.
|
|
Click on image to view
in larger format.
"Keep the number one thing in mind: YouÕre fighting to get your children
into the 21st century, and to hell with the rules"
"David was probably the single most exasperating, infuriating, obstinate
person I ever met; he was also probably the most brilliant, energetic, and
charismatic," Kieran Mulvaney, friend & colleague.
"He was one of the toughest,
most relentless of the early Rainbow Warriors who dreamt big and
fought hard, lived dangerously and didn't mind who he crossed.
He had the guts to make saving the planet his personal mission,
the charisma to inspire others to that task, and the strategic
savvy to make you think he just might pull it off." Brian Fitzgerald,
friend and colleague.
|
|
|
|
