The Challenge of the Twenty First-Century - Setting the Real Bottom Line
by
Dr David Suzuki
A PDF download of Dr Suzuki's speech in 2004
Detail :
Today, I would like to speak to you not as a scientist, nor a journalist, or an
environmentalist, but as a parent. Please understand that I can’t help but speak through
the blinders and biases of my culture, that of a wealthy industrialized country. Next
th
month, I will reach my 68 year. I have more of everything, including money, than I will
need for the rest of my life. I have received honours and recognition beyond anything I
ever hoped for, or wanted. I say all this to assure you, I have no ulterior motives. In the
last years of life, my main concern is my children and grandchildren, with what they can
hope for in this world. And to be quite frank, I am terrified. The rate at which the world is
recognizing and responding to the scale and the severity of the global eco-crisis is far too
slow and superficial. You are here to deliberate the fate of biodiversity on the planet and I
urge you to look beyond the human priorities of politics and economics because, to quote
a title of one of my radio series and books, it’s a matter of survival. I would like to
remind you why we are here, as the President mentioned, with the plea from a 12-year-
old child that was delivered at Rio 12 years ago.