# Edgar Lin

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{{Short description|Taiwanese biologist, ecologist and politician (1938–2025)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Lin Chun-yi
| native_name = {{nobold|林俊義}}
| native_name_lang = zh-tw
| caption = 
| constituency = 
| order = Director of the [Coordination Council for North American Affairs](/source/Taiwan_Council_for_U.S._Affairs)
| term_start = 17 August 2007
| term_end = 20 May 2008
| predecessor = {{interlanguage link|Lin Fang-mei|zh|林芳玫}}
| successor = [Chu Wen-hsiang](/source/Chu_Wen-hsiang) (acting)<br/>[Shao Yu-ming](/source/Shao_Yu-ming)
| order1 = [ROC Representative to the United Kingdom](/source/Taipei_Representative_Office_in_the_U.K.)
| term_start1 = December 2004
| term_end1 = August 2007
| predecessor1 = [Tien Hung-mao](/source/Tien_Hung-mao)
| successor1 = [Katharine Chang](/source/Katharine_Chang)
| constituency1 = 
| order2 = [ROC Ambassador to Gambia](/source/The_Gambia%E2%80%93Taiwan_relations)
| term_start2 = August 2001
| term_end2 = December 2004
| predecessor2 = Lee Cheng-hsiung<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Chieh-yu |title=Gambians all smiles for Chen |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/08/21/0000048669 |access-date=16 November 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=21 August 2000}}</ref>
| successor2 = Patrick Chang<ref>{{cite news|title=New Taiwanese ambassador presents credintials|url=http://qanet.gm/statehouse/newtai-ambass-jan27.htm|access-date=13 December 2016|agency=Office of the President of The Gambia|date=27 January 2005 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220114927/http://qanet.gm/statehouse/newtai-ambass-jan27.htm}}</ref>
| constituency2 = 
| order3 = Minister of the [Environmental Protection Administration](/source/Environmental_Protection_Administration)
| term_start3 = 20 May 2000
| term_end3 = 6 March 2001
| predecessor3 = [Tsai Hsun-hsiung](/source/Tsai_Hsun-hsiung)
| successor3 = [Hau Lung-pin](/source/Hau_Lung-pin)
| constituency3 = 
| order4 = Head of the {{ill|Taipei Department of Environmental Protection|zh|臺北市政府環境保護局}}
| term_start4 = 17 October 1995
| term_end4 = 9 August 1997
| predecessor4 = Chen Chin-yang
| successor4 = [Liu Shyh-fang](/source/Liu_Shyh-fang)
| constituency4 = 
| order5 = Member of the [National Assembly](/source/National_Assembly_(Republic_of_China))
| term_start5 = 1 February 1992
| term_end5 = 31 January 1996
| predecessor5 = 
| successor5 = 
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1938|7|23}}
| birth_place = [Taihoku](/source/Taihoku), Taihoku Prefecture, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2025|11|13|1938|7|23}}
| death_place = 
| party = [Democratic Progressive Party](/source/Democratic_Progressive_Party)
| alma_mater = 
| education = [National Taiwan University](/source/National_Taiwan_University) ([BA](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts))<br />[National Taiwan Normal University](/source/National_Taiwan_Normal_University) ([MA](/source/Master_of_Arts))<br />[Indiana University](/source/Indiana_University) ([MS](/source/Master_of_Science), [PhD](/source/PhD))
}}

'''Lin Chun-yi''' ({{lang-zh|t=林俊義}}; 23 July 1938 – 13 November 2025), also known by his English name '''Edgar Lin''', was a Taiwanese biologist, ecologist, diplomat, and politician.

== Early life and education ==
Lin was born in Taipei in 1938.<ref>{{cite news |title=從「永不再見」到一生奉獻！環保運動先驅林俊義辭世 享壽87歲 |url=https://news.pchome.com.tw/living/imedia/20251114/index-76310618051794287009.html |access-date=14 November 2025 |publisher=PC Home |date=16 November 2025 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=政黨輪替後首任環保署長辭世！林俊義享壽87歲　一生橫跨政學外交界 |url=https://www.storm.mg/article/11081012 |access-date=16 November 2025 |publisher=Storm Media |date=14 November 2025 |language=zh}}</ref> He graduated from [National Taiwan University](/source/National_Taiwan_University) with a bachelor's degree in foreign languages and literature and obtained a master's degree in English from [National Taiwan Normal University](/source/National_Taiwan_Normal_University). Lin then completed doctoral studies in the United States, earning a [Master of Science](/source/Master_of_Science) (M.S.) and his [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) in [ecology](/source/ecology) and [zoology](/source/zoology) from [Indiana University](/source/Indiana_University) in 1975. His doctoral dissertation was titled, "Comparative reproductive biology of two sympatric tropical lizards: Chamaeleo hohneli and Chamaeleo jacksoni".<ref>[https://www.proquest.com/openview/c42486e3fe719300948f73c208b599a8/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Dissertation] per Proquest</ref>

== Academic career ==
After receiving his doctorate, he remained in the United States for a time, working as a research fellow for the [House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) [Committee on Science, Space and Technology](/source/United_States_House_Committee_on_Science%2C_Space_and_Technology).<ref name="appt">{{cite news|last1=Jou|first1=Ying-Cheng|title=Tang Fei returns to the political fray|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/04/30/0000034178|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=30 April 2000}}</ref>

After his return to Taiwan, Lin taught at [Tunghai University](/source/Tunghai_University).<ref name="appt"/><ref name="ukarrival">{{cite news|title=New envoy arrives in UK|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/01/09/2003218628|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=9 January 2005}}</ref> Lin began participating in Taiwan's environmental movement in the 1980s. He became known as a "godfather" of the cause and was a noted [anti-nuclear](/source/Anti-nuclear_movement) activist, later serving [Greenpeace Taiwan](/source/Greenpeace) as its president.<ref name="Hawaii">{{cite news|last1=Chiu|first1=Yu-Tzu|title=EPA meets with US counterpart in Hawaii|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/10/23/58337|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=23 October 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chiu|first1=Yu-tzu|title=Greens uneasy over Lin joining the official fold|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/05/01/0000034310|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=1 May 2000}}</ref>

== Political career ==
Lin ran in the [1989 legislative election](/source/1989_Taiwanese_legislative_election) for a [Legislative Yuan](/source/Legislative_Yuan) seat in [Taichung](/source/Taichung), as one of the "Five Tigers" electoral coalition, alongside fellow legislative candidate [Liu Wen-hsiung](/source/Liu_Wen-hsiung_(1941%E2%80%931990)), mayoral candidate [Hsu Jung-shu](/source/Hsu_Jung-shu), and [provincial councilor](/source/Taiwan_Provincial_Consultative_Council) candidates [Chang Wen-ying](/source/Chang_Wen-ying) and {{ill|Ho Chun-mu|zh|何春木}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=陳 |first1=湘芸 |title=前環保署長林俊義辭世　陳彥斌追憶昔台中「五虎將」選戰辛酸 |url=https://newtalk.tw/news/view/2025-11-15/1004707 |access-date=16 November 2025 |work=Newtalk |date=15 November 2025 |language=zh}}</ref> His unsuccessful campaign was backed by the [Democratic Progressive Party](/source/Democratic_Progressive_Party).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Legislative Yuan still not fully representative |journal=Taiwan Communiqué |date=September 1989 |volume=41 |page=10 |url=https://www.taiwandc.org/twcom/tc41-int.pdf |issn=1027-3999}}</ref> He was elected to the [National Assembly](/source/National_Assembly_(Republic_of_China)) in [1992](/source/1992_Taiwanese_legislative_election). The National Assembly voted to block a set of reform proposals after its convocation. Alongside fellow Democratic Progressive Party members [Huang Hsin-chieh](/source/Huang_Hsin-chieh) and [Chen Yung-hsing](/source/Chen_Yung-hsing), Lin walked out of the assembly on 4 May 1992, criticizing the body for procedural violations.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The DPP and Independents walk out |journal=Taiwan Communiqué |date=June 1992 |volume=55 |page=9 |url=https://www.taiwandc.org/twcom/tc55-int.pdf |issn=1027-3999}}</ref> In September 1993, Lin accepted the DPP nomination as its candidate for the [Taichung mayoralty](/source/Mayor_of_Taichung).<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Candidates |journal=Taiwan Communiqué |date=September 1993 |volume=59 |page=14 |url=https://www.taiwandc.org/twcom/tc59-int.pdf |issn=1027-3999}}</ref> Lin lost to {{ill|Lin Po-jung|zh|林柏榕}}, who secured a second consecutive term.

Lin led Taipei's {{ill|Taipei Department of Environmental Protection|lt=Bureau of Environmental Protection|zh|臺北市政府環境保護局}} while [Chen Shui-bian](/source/Chen_Shui-bian) was mayor.<ref name="appt"/> Chen was elected [president in 2000](/source/2000_Taiwanese_presidential_election), and Lin was appointed minister of the [Environmental Protection Administration](/source/Environmental_Protection_Administration) by Premier [Tang Fei](/source/Tang_Fei) in April, taking office with the rest of the cabinet on 20 May.<ref name="appt"/> Shortly after joining the EPA, Lin renounced his opposition to nuclear energy, stating that he had held that stance largely to combat [totalitarianism](/source/totalitarianism).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chiu|first1=Yu-Tzu|title='Father of anti-nuclear activists' singing a new tune|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/05/26/37516|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=26 May 2000}}</ref> In October, Lin made his first trip to the United States in an official capacity and became the first EPA executive to include environmentalists as part of his contingent abroad.<ref name="Hawaii"/> The [Amorgos oil spill](/source/Amorgos_oil_spill) occurred in January 2001, and the [Executive Yuan](/source/Executive_Yuan) was criticized for its delayed response.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shan|first1=Shelley|title=EPA wants ship's wreckage removed by April next year|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/12/13/2003340232|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=13 December 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Low|first1=Stephanie|title=Premier rejects minister's offer to resign over spill|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/03/01/0000075678|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=1 March 2001}}</ref> Subsequently, Lin resigned his position in March.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Joyce|title=Four new Cabinet officials appointed|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2001/03/06/0000076348|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=6 March 2001}}</ref>

In August of that year, Lin was named ambassador to [The Gambia](/source/The_Gambia).<ref>{{cite news|title=Lin Chun-yi appointed new ambassador to the Gambia|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/08/04/0000097061|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=4 August 2001}}</ref> He served until December 2004, when he was sworn in as Taiwan's representative to the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom).<ref name="colorful">{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Melody|title=Edgar Lin 'pursuing a colorful life'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/12/20/2003215939|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=20 December 2004}}</ref> His first trip in the United Kingdom took place the next month.<ref name="ukarrival"/> While in the United Kingdom, Lin spoke out against the [One China principle](/source/One_China_principle), [Anti-Secession Law](/source/Anti-Secession_Law), and [one country, two systems](/source/one_country%2C_two_systems).<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan's envoy to the UK blames 'one China' idea|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/03/11/2003245752|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=11 March 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan diplomat shuns unification with China|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/03/18/2003352801|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=18 March 2007}}</ref> Instead, Lin proposed that the European Union pass its own version of the United States' [Taiwan Relations Act](/source/Taiwan_Relations_Act).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Jewel|title=Europe should make its own TRA, says top official to Britain|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/06/01/2003363335|access-date=13 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=1 June 2007}}</ref>

== Later life and death ==
Lin and his American wife, who preceded him in death, had three children.<ref name="biztoday"/> In retirement, Lin lived alone in [Tamsui](/source/Tamsui),<ref name="biztoday">{{cite news |title=「反核教父」、政黨輪替後首任環保署長林俊義辭世享壽87歲…管碧玲哀悼：反獨裁的街頭聖戰士 |url=https://www.businesstoday.com.tw/article/category/183027/post/202511150005/ |access-date=16 November 2025 |work=Business Today |date=15 November 2025 |language=zh}}</ref> and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.<ref>{{cite news |title=健康網》林俊義生前得阿茲海默症 醫：雖有新藥須考量副作用 |url=https://health.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/5246997 |access-date=16 November 2025 |work=Liberty Times |date=15 November 2025}}</ref> He died on 13 November 2025, at the age of 87.<ref>{{cite news |title=前環保署長林俊義辭世 向陽憶白色恐怖往事「與林教授因文字肇禍」 |url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5245602 |access-date=14 November 2025 |work=Liberty Times |date=14 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=李 |first1=柏澔 |title=前環保署長林俊義辭世 彭啓明：不捨與哀痛 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/6656/9142611 |access-date=16 November 2025 |work=United Daily News |date=16 November 2025 |language=zh}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lin, Edgar}}
Category:1938 births
Category:2025 deaths
Category:Taiwanese environmentalists
Category:Taiwanese anti–nuclear power activists
Category:Representatives of Taiwan to the United Kingdom
Category:Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan) politicians
Category:Writers from Taipei
Category:Politicians of the Republic of China on Taiwan from Taipei
Category:National Taiwan University alumni
Category:Indiana University alumni
Category:Academic staff of Tunghai University
Category:Taiwanese biologists
Category:People associated with Greenpeace
Category:Ambassadors of the Republic of China to the Gambia
Category:Ministers of environment of Taiwan

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Edgar Lin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Lin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Lin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.