Home · Environment · Environmental Protection · Greenpeace: Always Bearing Witness
Topic spans: 1971 - 2003
Greenpeace: Always Bearing Witness
From its humble beginnings in Vancouver, Greenpeace has grown into the world's leading environmental action watchdog. For more than 30 years Greenpeace has battled whaling, nuclear testing and sealing, all in an attempt to protect the planet. But some say their tactics, such as confronting politicians at their private residences, go too far. Are Greenpeace a bunch of misguided liberal intellectuals and publicity-prone protestors? Or are they modern day eco-heroes? You decide.
The topic photo of the dinghy being sprayed is courtesy of Greenpeace/Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert.
11 television clips
7 radio clips
Showdown in the South Pacific
Broadcast Date: Sept. 14, 1973
Today, Vancouver's David McTaggart feels safe and secure. However, it wasn't that long ago that he was on a dangerous mission for Greenpeace, sailing his yacht from New Zealand to Moruroa in the South Pacific. He went there to try to stop French atmospheric nuclear testing. In this CBC Radio clip, McTaggart describes in horrific detail how he almost lost his right eye as seven French commandos boarded his ship and mercilessly beat him within an inch of his life.Showdown in the South Pacific
• David McTaggart became a driving force behind Greenpeace in the 70s, leading a series of high-profile campaigns that helped the organization become a powerful global environmental watchdog. He became the head of Greenpeace Europe and in 1979 Greenpeace International was born as McTaggart brought all the regional offices together under an umbrella organization, saving Greenpeace from bankruptcy. He retired from active chairmanship in 1991. McTaggart died in an auto accident on March 23, 2001 near his home in Umbria, Italy. He was 68 years old.• In 1972, McTaggart first set sail to Moruroa from New Zealand in protest of France's atmospheric nuclear testing. McTaggart's yacht Vega, later named Greenpeace III, was rammed by French warships and seized by the French government who went on to successfully complete its testing.
• Following the 1973 incident described in this clip, McTaggart filed a lawsuit against the French government. In 1975 a Paris court ruled in his favour, awarding him damages over the French ramming his boat.
• Greenpeace scored a minor victory in 1974 when the French government announced it would limit nuclear tests to underground testing.
• In 1973 CBC Radio personality Max Ferguson delivered a humorous spoof on the Greenpeace affair between McTaggart and France.
Showdown in the South Pacific
Medium: Radio
Program: This Country in the Morning
Broadcast Date: Sept. 14, 1973
Guest(s): David McTaggart
Host: Peter Gzowski
Duration: 17:46
Last updated:
July 29, 2009
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18 clips in this topic . page
Television
4:21
May 2, 2005
Outspoken eco-crusader challenged Canadians to defend the environment.
Television
33:21
May 21, 1972
One of the founding members of Pollution Probe talks about the organization and his life in education and science.
Showdown in the South Pacific.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: July 29, 2009.
[Page consulted on Feb. 14, 2012.]