Suzuki ready to hang em up

[Cheese]

One of the greatest ambassadors Canada has ever had...a true pioneer and activist. I think David has touched the lives of everyone either from his TV shows or his books.
He never waivered on his love for the planet.
As an afterthought...did our American counterparts here at CP ever see any of his programs?

Environmentalist David Suzuki, best known for his television programs on nature and the environment, is ready to step out of spotlight and live the simple life, lamenting that he has not had a greater impact.

"Nobody any longer knows what a sustainable future is," the bearded, bespectacled environmentalist told Reuters in a recent interview in Australia to promote his book, "David Suzuki: The Autobiography."
"I feel like we are in a giant car heading for a brick wall at 100 miles an hour and everyone in the car is arguing where they want to sit. For God's sake, someone has to say put the brakes on and turn the wheel."

Suzuki is no less passionate about preserving the planet than when his first series, "Suzuki on Science," aired in 1969 but he wants more time for himself.

Suzuki

[bluejays]

Honestly, from watching countless videos about this guy since elementary school, I can say...good riddance. It's nice that he thinks of the environment positively, but what a treehugger.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by fleury

Honestly, from watching countless videos about this guy since elementary school, I can say...good riddance. It's nice that he thinks of the environment positively, but what a treehugger.

Yeah, no kidding. When are they finally going to get over this 'trees = good' idea and just cut all the damn things down already. And don't you think Canada has a little TOO much freshwater and not enough garbage?

Good riddance Dave.

[MJK]

He will be greatly missing all throughout Canada. A great ambassador for this Country.

[fanforever1986]

What are some of his contributions?

"helped the environment" is not an answer.

The guy lost sight of reality quite some time ago. See ya Dave.

[peter12]

I met him this summer for an interview he did with my boss. I'd heard he was a bit stuck up and inpersonal. He was actually quite a nice, humble guy and he took the time to chat with me, the lowly intern, for 5 minutes after the interview was over.

As much as I disagree with his approach to environmentalism in Canada, I respect his immense contribution to Canadian's awareness of our beautiful and fragile nation.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by fanforever1986

What are some of his contributions?

"helped the environment" is not an answer.

The guy lost sight of reality quite some time ago. See ya Dave.

Amazing how young Canadians refuse to accept the contributions of their elders...seriously your comment is flawed x 100000000000000000

Here is a segment of DS's life. I think hes one of the greatest Canadians to have lived...whether you agree with him or not.
Somehow I doubt youll attain 1/50th of what Suzuki has in life.


ACADEMIC HONOURS AND AWARDS ACADEMIC
2000 - Lifetime Achievement Award University of British Columbia Alumni
1992 - Commemorative Medal 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation
1992 - MacLachlan Great Canadian Medal MacLachlan College & Preparatory School
1990 - Wiegand Award for Canadian Excellence, University of Waterloo
1986 - Gold Medal Award Biological Council of Canada
1981 - Honorary Fellow Ryerson University
1981 - BC Science and Engineering Gold Medal Science Council of BC
1979 - Honorary Diploma Dawson College, Montreal, Quebec
1979 - Award of Distinction Northwest Institute of Ethics and the Life Sciences
1978 - Honorary Guild Shield Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ontario
1974 - Honorary Life Membership for Teaching Achievements
University of British Columbia Alumni Association
HONOURARY DEGREES

2001 Hon. Doctor of Laws, Simon Fraser University, Canada
2000 Hon. Doctor of Environmental Science, Unity College, U.S.A.
1999 Hon. Doctor of Science, Whitman College, U.S.A.
1998 Hon. Doctor of Laws, Open University, Canada
1997 Hon. DSc, Griffith University, Australia
1988 Hon. DSc, Amherst College, U.S.A.
1987 Hon. DSc, Carleton University, Canada
1987 Hon. LLD, Queen’s University, Canada
1987 Hon. DSc, McMaster University, Canada
1986 Hon. DSc, Lakehead University, Canada
1986 Hon. Doctor of Humane Letters, Governors State University, U.S.A.
1986 Hon. LLD, University of Calgary, Canada
1981 Hon. LLD, Trent University, Canada
1979 Hon. Dsc, Acadia University, Canada
1979 Hon. DSC, University of Windsor, Canada
1974 Hon. LLD, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
2003 - Fast Forward Award for Outstanding Contribution to Educational Media First recipient Langara College, Vancouver BC
2002 - John Drainie Award for excellence in Broadcast Journalism, Banff
1997 - Gemini Award, Best Host, The Nature of Things Food or Famine
1996 - Honoree, Global Dreams A tribute hosted by David Foster and Dan Aykroyd, House of Blues in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA.
1995 - Parents Choice Award, Audio Award Amazing Journey,Children Sing to the Beat of the Earth
1994 - San Francisco Exploratorium, Public Understanding of Science Award
1994 - Gemini Award, Best Host, The Nature of Things, Trading Futures
1992 - Genesis Award for Outstanding Cable Documentary, The Nature of Things Animals in Research: Breaking the Habit
1992 - Gemini Award, Best Host, The Nature Connection, Tide Pools
1990 - Silver Medal, Council for Advancement of Education Best Audiovisual Package, UBC Perspectives
1989 - Humanitarian Award, Canadian Health Food Association
1989 - Bronze Medal, Council for the Advancement of Education Best Audiovisual Package, UBC Perspective
1989 - Award of Excellence, Banff Television Festival
1986 - Grand Award (Silver Medal), Canadian Council for Advancement of Education Best Audiovisual Package, UBC Perspectives
1986 - Gold Award, Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education Award Best Audiovisual Package, UBC Perspectives
1986 - Award, Best Television Script, A Planet for the Taking, Episode 6, Improving on Nature
1986 - Member, Global 500 Roll of Honour, UN Environment Programme
1986 - Genesis Award, Fund for Animals, Los Angeles, Best Documentary
1986 - Gemini Award, Best Host of TV Series, The Nature of Things
1986 - Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education Award Best Audiovisual Package, UBC Perspectives
1985 - World Environment Festival Award, CBC Science Unit, A Planet for the Taking
1985 - Governor General’s Award for Conservation, A Planet for the Taking
1985 - ACTRA Award, Best Host of TV Series, Futurescan
1983 - Japan Times Prize, The Nature of Things, Japan Shows
1983 - Japan Gold Prize, Best Foreign Film on Japan, The Nature of Things
1983 - Diploma of Honour, XXXVI Congress, Film Video Genetics, Paris, France The Nature Things, To be or not to be
1983 - Bell Northern Award for The Nature of Things, Japan Shows
1983 - Asahi Evening News Prize, The Nature of Things, Japan Shows
1979 - Prix Anik Award for Best Documentary Film, Tankerbomb, Host and Narrator
1979 - Bell-Northern Award for Science Communication in the electronic media
1977 - Bell Northern Science Communication in the electronic media
1976 - Bell Northern Award for Science Communication in the electronic media
1976 - BC CTRA Award for radio host of Quirks and Quarks
1976 - Award for the best documentary film The Hottest Show on Earth
1976 - Award as Broadcaster of the Year, Canadian Broadcasters League

PRINT MEDIA
2004 - Canadian Science Writers’ Children’s Book Salmon Forest
2000 - BC 2000 Book Award, You Are the Earth
1999 - TORGI Talking Book of the Year Award, The Sacred Balance The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
1999 - Alberta Theatre Projects, Recipient Bob Edwards Award
1996 - Recipient, Science Book of the Year, Secret of Life
1990 - Author of the Year, Canadian Booksellers Association
1988 - Authors Award, 2nd Prize, Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters Paperback book, nonfiction, David Suzuki Talks about AIDS
1988 - Recipient, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Award Looking at Insects
1985 - Quill Award, National Communication Award (Press)
1975 - Canadian Human Rights Foundation Award for Publication
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
2004 - Lindbergh Award
2004 - Canadian Society for Training and Development President’s Award
2002 - International Scientist of the Year International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England
2002 - Recipient, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
1999 - Recipient, 1999 Freedom Award International Freedom Festival, Canada
1999 - Member, Global 500 Roll of Honour, UN Environment Programme
1999 - Recipient, Green Cross Millennium Award for Individual Environmental Leadership U.S.A.
1995 - Recipient, Order of British Columbia
1995 - Recipient, Spirit of Leadership Award BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
1988 - Recipient, Environmental Achievement Award Environment Canada
1986 - Recipient, Royal Bank Award
1986 - Recipient, UNESCO Kalinga Prize
1985 - United Nations Environment Program Medal
1984 - Medal of Honour, Canadian Medical Association
1981 - Sanford Fleming Medal, Royal Canadian Institute
1980 - 1983 Elected Secretary, Genetics Society of America
1980 Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
1978 - 1984 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
1976 - Officer, Order of Canada
1972 - Outstanding Japanese-Canadian of the Year Award
1969 - 1972 E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship for the Outstanding Research Scientist in Canada under the age of 35
1969 - 1970 President, Canadian Society of Cell Biology

FIRST NATIONS HONOURS
NUU CHAH NULTH, British Columbia Nuchi (Big Mountain)
KWAGIULTH British Columbia Nan Wa Kawi (Man Who Knows Much)
HAIDA British Columbia Gyaagan (My Own) Adopted by Ada Yovanovitch Eagle)
BLOOD Alberta Nattoo Istuk (Sacred Mountain)
KAURNA Australia Karnumeya (Mountain Man)
CREE Alberta Kehiwawasis (Eagle Child) Honorary Chief
HEILTSUK British Columbia Adopted by Chief George Housti family
CIVIL RIGHTS
1999 Cranes: National Tribute to Japanese-Canadian Life, Honorary Chair 1996 The Body Shop’s Social Interventions, Advisory Board Member
1995 John Humphrey Freedom Award - International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, Patron
1995 Owl Communications/Honorary Owl” Campaign, Honorary Owl
1994 International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, Patron
1994 Multicultural Alliance to Promote Literacy Education (MAPLE), Patron
1983 - 1991 Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Member, Board of Directors 1989 Committee Against Racism, Honorary Member
1986 Amnesty International (Canadian Section) Council Member
1984 World Federalists of Canada, Advisory Board
1979 - 1982 Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Vice‑President 1979 Hiroshima‑Nagasaki Revisited, Patron
1977 - 1978 Canadian Civil Liberties Union, Director
1975 Canadian Human Rights Foundation, Award for Publication
1973 BC Civil Liberties Union, Honorary Director
1972 Outstanding Japanese‑Canadian of the Year Award

[JohnnyFlame]

I give him the same respect I give anybody who sticks to their guns. To me that's way more important than his self righteous nobody any longer knows what a sustainable future is statement. He has done a very good job at what he does producing quality shows.

None-the-less I'm glad he is just one voice. Unsustainable and unrealistic is how I would describe many of the environmental types. Nothing wrong and a lot right about good stewardship of the resources we have been given but people top the agenda each and every time.

We don't need to fall all over ourselves protecting the horny owl(an invented species though there may well be one but not quite the way I was thinking about it) at the expense of people's jobs. Yes you need to have a balance to sustain things longterm but I'm glad his thinking is still not mainstream.

Takes nothing away from the fact he is a Canadian icon who has stuck to what he believes in.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by fotze

I didn't agree with him on his CBM rhetoric but I'm glad people like him are there.

Agreed, while I might have found him annoying, you need people on the far extreme to balance out the other far extreme so that we end up some where in the middle.

MYK

[Kybosh]

The only problem I have with Suzuki is that his methods of research have been a little dodgy in the past. From other accounts it seems as if he assigns a project with the conclusion already in mind, it is then up to his researcher to prove that (whether or not this is the case). I would probably say that he is a better public figure than a research scientist, which isn't necessarily bad.

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Agreed, while I might have found him annoying, you need people on the far extreme to balance out the other far extreme so that we end up some where in the middle.

MYK

That is, after all, the Canadian way.

[octothorp]

Unfortunately I think he turned a lot of people off environmentalism, as he became a posterboy for how depressing that movement was. I have a lot of respect for him, but he bears some responsibility for the irreconcilable polarization that appeared in so many environmental debates.

[fanforever1986]

Environmental awards given by other environmentalists. Shocking.

I too have respect for the passion he shows towards something he truly cares about, however when you come to Calgary and preach on our urban sprawl problem(which i actually agree we have), then go home to a private island...sorry...seems a bit off base to me.

[J pold]

When read the thread title I thought we where talking about Ichiro Suzuki

Now that guy can hit a ball

[drp_69]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

The only problem I have with Suzuki is that his methods of research have been a little dodgy in the past. From other accounts it seems as if he assigns a project with the conclusion already in mind, it is then up to his researcher to prove that (whether or not this is the case). I would probably say that he is a better public figure than a research scientist, which isn't necessarily bad.

I agree. Some of his "science" and/or his scientific method is a little shaky to say the least. (Did he do that documentary on CBC, about the how superior agriculture is in Cuba compared to Canada?)
Impressive list of "Hon" degrees. I wonder what his primary qualification is?

[ernie]

Originally Posted by fanforever1986

What are some of his contributions?

"helped the environment" is not an answer.

The guy lost sight of reality quite some time ago. See ya Dave.

He had a very successful academic career starting in genetics where he did win several awards for his research and was (and honestly still is) widely repsected. I don't know about later work as it was aimed at different things and he may have fallen into the trap of misinterpreting results because of something you expected but there isn't a researcher I know that hasn't fallen into that trap. A notable Canadian award was the Steacie Award for Researchers under 35. It's a prestigous award that is difficult to receive and pretty much puts at the top of the reserach heap in Canada and Well North America.

He has also been on the executive and councils of several leading scientific societies including president of the Canadian Society of Cell biology.

You may not like his politics, but the one thing he has that 99% of other "tree huggers" don't have is an understanding and appreciation for science and scientific research. You won't catch him with his pants down when it comes to science or pretyt much anything else.

No question one of the greatest Canadians. I hope he enjoys his semi-retirement. It is very well deserved. If everyone achieved even a fraction of what David Suzuki has in his life the world would be incredible.

[SpitFire40]

I was thinking Motorcycles.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Cheese

David Suzuki's Accomplishments (sic)

Is that it? For a second I thought he'd actually made a difference or something like that. :P

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by fanforever1986

Environmental awards given by other environmentalists. Shocking.

I too have respect for the passion he shows towards something he truly cares about, however when you come to Calgary and preach on our urban sprawl problem(which i actually agree we have), then go home to a private island...sorry...seems a bit off base to me.

Did you actually read the list? Obviously not, unless you lump scientific, literary, broadcasting awards, not to mention the Queen and half the universities in the country under the term "other environmentalists".

What does his living on an island have to do with urban sprawl? I've never been there, but I'd hazard a guess that he's set up slightly more enviro-friendly than 3000 square foot house in Cranston, even if he is on an island.

[JohnnyFlame]

I'll let fanforever1986 give his own points on what he meant by by the island reference but I have a point or two on it.

One it adds to the "elistist" vibe that always comes from the guy. Hey fix up your slum while I have the cash to be out on my island. Yep that's nice elistist but the majority of us live in the real world. My taxes pay for changes we make to how we do things and my money unlike yours is limited.

Hey move to Hamilton there Dave buddy and take the bus to your tv studio etc. When you advocate change look at it from the stance of the common man and be realistic.

Some of the points for environmental types are readily accepted because they make sense -- Cut down a tree and plant at least one to replace it. No problem -- the logic is there and it makes monetary sense.

Lets tank the economy because we think maybe global warming is going to kill us all off --- Hmmm ahhh no Dave buddy. We have jobs and families to support.

Give the guy kudo's for sticking to his message -- obvious he believes it but expecting us to be impressed by a bunch of stuff behind his name -- Nope.