David McTaggart
Encyclopedia
David Fraser McTaggart was a Canadian-born environmentalist
who played a central part in the foundation of Greenpeace International.
An excellent all-around athlete, as a young man he won three consecutive Canadian National Badminton Championships
in men's singles (1956—1958) and represented that country in badminton's Thomas Cup
(men's world team championship) competition. Prior to his involvement in Greenpeace he had prospered as a builder and developer.
In 1972, responding to an ad in the newspapers, he used his personal boat to protest
the testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific by the French Government. After getting his boat damaged and being physically hurt by the French Military, his protest succeeded in 1974 when the French announced the end of their atmospheric nuclear testing
program. He became chairman and chief spokesman of Greenpeace in 1979, retiring in 1991 to live on an olive farm in Paciano
, Umbria
, Italy
.
McTaggart continued to participate in Greenpeace forums after retirement for the rest of his life. Te Vaka
dedicated its song "Sei Ma Le Losa" for McTaggart, who was killed in a car accident on March 2001 near his home in Italy.
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
who played a central part in the foundation of Greenpeace International.
An excellent all-around athlete, as a young man he won three consecutive Canadian National Badminton Championships
Canadian National Badminton Championships
The Canadian National Badminton Championships is a tournament organized to crown the best badminton players in Canada.The tournament started in 1922. In 1957 the Canadian Badminton Federation decided to open the championships and they were combined with the Canadian Open until 1961...
in men's singles (1956—1958) and represented that country in badminton's Thomas Cup
Thomas Cup
The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World Men's Team Championships, is an international badminton competition among teams representing member nations of the Badminton World Federation , the sport's global governing body...
(men's world team championship) competition. Prior to his involvement in Greenpeace he had prospered as a builder and developer.
In 1972, responding to an ad in the newspapers, he used his personal boat to protest
Protest
A protest is an expression of objection, by words or by actions, to particular events, policies or situations. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations...
the testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific by the French Government. After getting his boat damaged and being physically hurt by the French Military, his protest succeeded in 1974 when the French announced the end of their atmospheric nuclear testing
Nuclear testing
Nuclear weapons tests are experiments carried out to determine the effectiveness, yield and explosive capability of nuclear weapons. Throughout the twentieth century, most nations that have developed nuclear weapons have tested them...
program. He became chairman and chief spokesman of Greenpeace in 1979, retiring in 1991 to live on an olive farm in Paciano
Paciano
Paciano is a comune in the Province of Perugia in the Italian region Umbria, located about 30 km southwest of Perugia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 974 and an area of 16.8 km²....
, Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
McTaggart continued to participate in Greenpeace forums after retirement for the rest of his life. Te Vaka
Te Vaka
Te Vaka is an Oceanic music group that performs original contemporary Pacific music or "South Pacific Fusion". The group was founded in 1995 by Opetaia Foa'i in New Zealand...
dedicated its song "Sei Ma Le Losa" for McTaggart, who was killed in a car accident on March 2001 near his home in Italy.