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David Suzuki: Difference between revisions
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Image:David Suzuki Kyoto Rally.JPG|thumb|right|At the 2007 Global Day of Action event in Vancouver, B.C.. The sign in the background refers to the Greater Vancouver Gateway Program. | Image:David Suzuki Kyoto Rally.JPG|thumb|right|At the 2007 Global Day of Action event in Vancouver, B.C.. The sign in the background refers to the Greater Vancouver Gateway Program. | ||
In recent years, Suzuki has been a forceful spokesperson on global climate change, not always without controversy. In February 2008, he urged McGill University students to speak out against politicians who fail to act on climate change, stating "What I would challenge you to do is to put a lot of effort into trying to see whether there's a legal way of throwing our so-called leaders into jail because what they're doing is a criminal act." | In recent years, Suzuki has been a forceful spokesperson on global climate change, not always without controversy. In February 2008, he urged McGill University students to speak out against politicians who fail to act on climate change, stating "What I would challenge you to do is to put a lot of effort into trying to see whether there's a legal way of throwing our so-called leaders into jail because what they're doing is a criminal act." | ||
Suzuki is unequivocal that climate change is a very real and pressing problem and that an "overwhelming majority of scientists" now agree that human activity is responsible. The David Suzuki Foundation website has a clear statement of this: | Suzuki is unequivocal that climate change is a very real and pressing problem and that an "overwhelming majority of scientists" now agree that human activity is responsible. The David Suzuki Foundation website has a clear statement of this: | ||
<blockquote>The debate is over about whether or not climate change is real. Irrefutable evidence from around the world - including extreme weather events, record temperatures, retreating glaciers, and rising sea levels - all point to the fact climate change is happening now and at rates much faster than previously thought. | <blockquote>The debate is over about whether or not climate change is real. Irrefutable evidence from around the world - including extreme weather events, record temperatures, retreating glaciers, and rising sea levels - all point to the fact climate change is happening now and at rates much faster than previously thought. | ||
<blockquote>The consensus includes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consisting of over 2,000 scientists from 100 countries. The findings of the panel have been approved by the National academy|National Academies of Science of each of the G8 countries, along with those of China, India and Brazil.<ref name = Foundation /></blockquote> | <blockquote>The consensus includes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consisting of over 2,000 scientists from 100 countries. The findings of the panel have been approved by the National academy|National Academies of Science of each of the G8 countries, along with those of China, India and Brazil.<ref name = Foundation /></blockquote> | ||
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==Carbon Footprint== | ==Carbon Footprint== | ||
The David Suzuki Foundation has implemented a carbon neutral program in its offices. The Foundation states that this is part of its "ongoing commitment to sustainability." The program is designed to show that "taking responsibility for one’s greenhouse gas emissions is straightforward and inexpensive," It uses a guide by the World Resources Institute to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Because of problems with tree planting projects, the Foundation purchases carbon offsets from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.<ref>[http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/carbon_neutral.asp Using Carbon Offsets to Neutralize Your Emissions]. ''Solving Global Warming:'' What you can do. David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved on: September 23, 2007.</ref> Suzuki himself laments that in traveling constantly to spread his message of climate responsibility, he's "over his [carbon] limit by hundreds of tonnes." He has stopped vacationing overseas and taken to "clustering" his speaking engagements together to reduce his carbon footprint. He would prefer, he says, to appear solely by video conference. | The David Suzuki Foundation has implemented a carbon neutral program in its offices. The Foundation states that this is part of its "ongoing commitment to sustainability." The program is designed to show that "taking responsibility for one’s greenhouse gas emissions is straightforward and inexpensive," It uses a guide by the World Resources Institute to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Because of problems with tree planting projects, the Foundation purchases carbon offsets from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.<ref>[http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/carbon_neutral.asp Using Carbon Offsets to Neutralize Your Emissions]. ''Solving Global Warming:'' What you can do. David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved on: September 23, 2007.</ref> Suzuki himself laments that in traveling constantly to spread his message of climate responsibility, he's "over his [carbon] limit by hundreds of tonnes." He has stopped vacationing overseas and taken to "clustering" his speaking engagements together to reduce his carbon footprint. He would prefer, he says, to appear solely by video conference. | ||
David Suzuki has given talks to the NDP, Liberal, and Green Parties of Canada, but does not belong to any political party. | David Suzuki has given talks to the NDP, Liberal, and Green Parties of Canada, but does not belong to any political party. | ||
The David Suzuki Foundation is non-partisan, in accordance with the rules governing non-profit charities in Canada. | The David Suzuki Foundation is non-partisan, in accordance with the rules governing non-profit charities in Canada. | ||
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
Suzuki is the author of forty-three books (fifteen for children), including ''David Suzuki: The Autobiography'', ''Tree: A Life Story'', ''The Sacred Balance'', ''Genethics'', ''Wisdom of the Elders'', ''Inventing the Future'', and the best-selling ''Looking At'' series of children’s science books. This is a partial list of books by Suzuki: | Suzuki is the author of forty-three books (fifteen for children), including ''David Suzuki: The Autobiography'', ''Tree: A Life Story'', ''The Sacred Balance'', ''Genethics'', ''Wisdom of the Elders'', ''Inventing the Future'', and the best-selling ''Looking At'' series of children’s science books. This is a partial list of books by Suzuki: | ||
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==Honorary degrees== | ==Honorary degrees== | ||
David Suzuki has received 22 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, the United States and Australia | David Suzuki has received 22 honorary degrees from universities in Canada, the United States and Australia. | ||
==Family== | ==Family== | ||