Last week while I was home for U.S. Thanksgiving, I missed this event for Sounds Like Canada on CBC. David Suzuki, Canadian environmental hero, and his daughter, Sarika Cullis-Suzuki (also a student of Daniel Pauly's) spoke in front of a crowd of 250 people about climate change, fisheries, and hope. John Robinson, a UBC professor and contributor to the IPCC report, was also present and slips in a nice shifting baseline anecdote: "People don't remember, but Canada used to lead the world in energy programs in the early 1970s."
When the topic turns to fisheries, Sarika explains how "gutting" it is to study the state of the oceans. She and her dad also have a banter over him posing nude and a nice story about when they realized hope was important. Listen here for the full show.
Environment
Comments
Thanks for posting, I was away and missed the seminar also.
Posted by: Carie | November 30, 2007 8:52 AM
I have often wondered about the people who drive to the gym to walk on the treadmill....Driving has gotten out of control! Of course I find it easier to walk places during the warmer weather, but I am now trying to dress accordingly and walk my ass down the streets of chilly Milwaukee. Although I live in the US now, I am Canadian, and David Suzuki has always been a hero to us. I am pretty sure that Sarika will continue in his footsteps, reminding the world of how thankful we should be for our time on this planet.
Posted by: megan | November 30, 2007 9:08 AM
Arguably, David Suzuki's strongest attribute is his exceptional communicative skill. He is always quick to mention the extraordinary competence of Rachel Carson as both a scientist and communicator, accrediting her seminal work Silent Spring to inducing the modern environmental movement. This role is pivotal to a fundamental shift is perception that is long overdue, but let us not forget that Rachel Carson was greatly discredited by many in the scientific community, particularly those who were well-funded by large industrial chemical companies.
Unfortunately we do live in a time where some of the most venerated scientists are painfully out of touch with the values and beliefs held by society. Nobel laureate James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA, was recently forced into retirement as chancellor of the prestigious Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory after publicly speculating on the level of African intelligence. We can be thankful that there are some scientists that are more effective at communication. Suzuki is tremendously well-spoken, charismatic, and possesses an ability to connect with his audience.
We are scientists, but we are also humans armed with a sophisticated arsenal of tools for effective communication. Ours is a struggle to understand the repercussions of past decisions in a current, volatile environment that is shrouded in uncertainty. Some of us choose to be entrenched in core research to develop solutions while others are part of their implementation. It is a collective struggle; Suzuki reminds us that one of the best things we can do as a single species is ensure that we are all up to speed and aware of what is going on in the lab and in the environment. The key to that assurance is in knowing how to properly and adequately express our knowledge as it evolves.
Posted by: Chad | November 30, 2007 9:33 AM
All that walking seems to have done him good. He definitely doesn't sound 71 when he speaks.
Posted by: Milan | November 30, 2007 10:03 AM
Admittedly, it was Suzuki who was largely responsible for me going in Science as a career. When I was 4 or 5, and going to bet at 7pm, I'd have my parents wake me up at 9:00pm to watch "The Nature of Things" on CBC TV. Since today is a good day at work, Thanks David! :) I used to cycle everywhere in Victoria. Unfortunately, where I live in Vancouver, traffic is super-dangerous, and my work (SFU) is located on the top of a mountain. At least I use transit? :) I agree with Sarika. This is a very depressing field on the best of days.
Posted by: Jonathan | November 30, 2007 10:57 AM