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David Takayoshi Suzuki, CC OBC (born March 24, 1936) is a Canadian Academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist. Suzuki earned a Ph.D in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, and was a professor in the genetics department at the University of British Columbia from 1963 until his retirement in 2001. Since the mid-1970s, Suzuki has been known for his TV and radio series and books about nature and the environment. He is best known as host of the popular and long-running CBC Television science magazine, The Nature of Things, seen in over forty nations. He is also well known for criticizing governments for their lack of action to protect the environment.
A long time activist to reverse global climate change, Suzuki co-founded the David Suzuki Foundation in 1990, to work “to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that does sustain us.” The Foundation’s priorities are: oceans and sustainable fishing , climate change and clean energy, sustainability, and Suzuki’s Nature Challenge. He also served as a director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from 1982 to 1987.
Suzuki was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2009. His 2011 book, The Legacy, won the Nautilus Book Award. He is a Companion of the Order of Canada. In 2004, David Suzuki was selected as the greatest living Canadian in a CBC poll.
David Suzuki: An elder’s vision for our sustainable future
Beyond Climate (full film) featuring David Suzuki
Beyond Climate (www.beyondclimate.ca) takes viewers beyond the headlines and into the heart of the issues. The film holistically connects the larger patterns of climate change with the human dimension, and what it looks like across BC from the top of the mountains to the depths of the oceans. Shot throughout the province over many years, the collective wisdom and perspectives of Indigenous leaders, local communities, scientists, and policymakers are featured.
Dr. David Suzuki – renowned scientist, broadcaster and environmentalist – helps guide the journey as the narrator of the film. But, David is more than just narrator, he’s a long-term resident of BC, having lived most of his life in Vancouver, and this film is part of his enduring legacy. Now, in his 80s, Suzuki reflects back on his life, how his home province is changing, and offers his personal perspectives on the environment, economy, and opportunity to navigate our complex future if we “pull back and give nature a chance.”
Addressing many of the pressing issues facing BC – from pipelines, liquefied natural gas, salmon, and Indigenous rights – the film is a timely contribution to the province and country as we grapple with climate change, the paramount issue of our time.
Selected Books by David Suzuki (with links to Barnes and Noble)
The David Suzuki Reader: A Lifetime of Ideas from a Leading Activist and Thinker
In this revised and expanded edition of his collected writings, David Suzuki continues to explore the themes that have informed his work for more than four decades — the inter-connectedness of all things, our misguided elevation of economics above all else, the urgent need to deal with climate change — but with an increased emphasis on solutions to the myriad problems we face, his inspiring vision for the future, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. There is also more emphasis on the personal, as he recounts episodes from his childhood and early adulthood and speaks eloquently about old age, death, and the abiding role of nature and family in his life. Written with clarity, passion, and wisdom, this book is essential for anyone who is an admirer of David Suzuki, who wants to understand what science can and can’t do, or who wants to make a difference.
The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature
Ten years after this important book was first published, David Suzuki re-examines our place in the natural world in light of the recent sweeping environmental changes and advances in scientific knowledge. Since it was first published, The Sacred Balance has sold over 100,000 copies. Although the basic message of this seminal work remains, the cataclysmic events of the last decade require that we rethink our behaviour and find a new way to live in balance with our surroundings. In this new and extensively revised and amplified edition of his best-selling book, David Suzuki reflects on these events and examines what they mean for our place in the world.
The Legacy: An Elder’s Vision for Our Sustainable Future
In this expanded version of an inspiring speech delivered in December 2009, David Suzuki reflects on how we got where we are today and presents his vision for a better future. In his living memory, Suzuki has witnessed cataclysmic changes in society and our relationship with the planet: the doubling of the world’s population, our increased ecological footprint, and massive technological growth. Today we are in a state of crisis, and we must join together to respond to that crisis. If we do so, Suzuki envisions a future in which we understand that we are the Earth and live accordingly. All it takes is imagination and a determination to live within our, and the planet’s, means. This book is the culmination of David Suzuki’s amazing life and all of his knowledge, experience, and passion — it is his legacy.
Find more information about David Suzuki’s life and work at the David Suzuki Foundation.
Complete Book List (from David Suzuki Foundation web site)
1976
An Introduction to Genetic Analysis
Suzuki, D.T. & A.J.F. Griffiths W.H.Freeman and Co., San Francisco, CA., U.S.A. 2nd edit. 1981; 3rd edit. 1986; 4th edit. 1989; 5th edit. 1993; 6th edit.1996 This is the most widely used genetics textbook in the U.S. and has been translated into Italian, Spanish, Greek, Indonesian, Arabic, French and German.
1985
Looking at Plants
Suzuki, D.T., with B. Hehner. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada Also published in Quebec, Denmark, Australia, Spain, Portugal and U.S.A.
1986
Looking at Insects
Suzuki, D.T., with B. Hehner. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada Also published in Quebec, Denmark, Australia, Spain, Portugal, U.S.A.
Looking at Senses
Suzuki, D.T., with Hehner, B. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada Also published in Quebec, Denmark, Australia, Spain, Portugal, U.S.A.
Egg Carton Zoo
Haas, R., Blohm, & D.T. SUZUKI Oxford University Press, Toronto, Canada
Sciencescape: The Nature of Canada
Suzuki, D.T., Blohm, H. & Harris, M. Oxford University Press, Toronto, Canada
British Columbia: Frontier for Ideas
Suzuki, D.T. & Cullis, H. Western Education Development Group, Vancouver, Canada
From Pebbles to Computers: The Thread
Suzuki, D.T., Beer, S. Blohm, H. Oxford University Press, Toronto, Canada
1987
Looking at the Body
Suzuki, D.T, with Hehner, B. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, Spain, Portugal, U.S.A.
Metamorphosis: Stages In A Life
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, Spain
David Suzuki Talks About AIDS
Suzuki, D.T., Thalenberg, E., Knudtson, P. General Publishing Paperbacks, Toronto, Canada
1988
Genethics: The Ethics of Engineering Life
Suzuki, D.T., Knudston, P. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Can. Also published inU.S.A., Australia, England
Looking at Weather
Suzuki, D.T. with Hehner, B. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, Spain, U.S.A.
1989
Looking at the Environment
Suzuki, D.T. with Hehner, B. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, U.S.A., Quebec
Inventing the Future
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Ltd. , Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, England
1990
Did You Know… About Light and Sight
Suzuki, D.T., Suzuki, L., Cook, P. General Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia
Did You Know… About Insides and Outsides
Suzuki, D.T., Suzuki, L., Cook, P. General Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia
It’s a Matter of Survival
Suzuki, D.T., Gordon, A. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia, England, U.S.A., Montreal
1991
Did You Know… About Food and Feeding
Suzuki, D.T., Suzuki, L., Cook, P. General Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia
Did You Know… About Shapes and Sizes
Suzuki, D.T., Suzuki, L., Cook., P. General Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia
1992
Wisdom of the Elders
Suzuki, D.T., Knudtson, P. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in U.S.A., Australia
1993
Nature in the Home
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada
The Secret of Life
Suzuki, D.T., Levine, J. WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, MA., U.S.A. Also published in Germany
Time to Change
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada. Also published in Australia
1994
Cracking the Code
Suzuki, D.T., Levine, J. Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd. Australia
If We Could See The Air
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada
1995
The Backyard Time Detectives
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada
1996
The Japan We Never Knew
Suzuki, D.T., Oiwa, K. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada Also published in Australia, U.S.A.
1997
A Glimpse of Canada’s Future
Suzuki, D.T., Battle, E., Stipdonk, B. David Suzuki Foundation, Vancouver, Canada
The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place In Nature
Suzuki, D.T., McConnell, A. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada Also published in Australia, U.S.A., England
1998
Earth Time
Suzuki, D.T. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada
Tree Suitcase
Suzuki, D.T. Sommerville House, Toronto, Canada
1999
From Naked Ape To Superspecies
Suzuki, D.T., Dressel, H. Stoddart Publishing, Toronto, Canada
Suzuki, D.T., Vanderlinden, K. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2001
Eco-Fun: Great Experiments, Projects, and Games for a Greener Earth
Suzuki, D.T., Vanderlinden, K. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2002
Good News For A Change
Suzuki, D.T., Dressel, H. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
Genetics: A Beginners Guide
Guttman, B.; Griffiths, A.; Suzuki, D.; Cullis, T., Oneworld Publications
2003
The David Suzuki Reader
Suzuki, D.T. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
The Salmon Forest
Suzuki, D.T., Ellis, S. Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
When the Wild Comes Leaping Up
Suzuki, D.T., Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2004
Tree: A Life Story
Suzuki, D.T., Grady, W. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
The Sacred Balance: A Visual Celebration of Our Place in Nature
Suzuki, D.T., McConnell, A., DeCambra, M. Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2006
David Suzuki: The Autobiography
Suzuki, D.T. Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
Grassroots Rising
Suzuki, D.T., Begley Jr., E., McLean, R., Honour Group Publishing
2007
Sacred Balance: Rediscovering our place in nature (updated & expanded)
Suzuki, D.T., McConnell, A., Mason, A. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2008
David Suzuki’s Green Guide
Suzuki, D.T., Boyd, David R. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
There’s A Barnyard In My Bedroom
Suzuki, D.T., Fernandes, E. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2009
The Big Picture
Suzuki, D.T., Taylor, D.R. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
2010
More Good News
Suzuki, D.T., Dressel, H. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
Declaration Of Interdependence
Suzuki, D.T., Cullis, T. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada
The Legacy: An Elder’s Vision for Our Sustainable Future
Suzuki, D.T. David Suzuki Foundation & Greystone Books, Vancouver, Canada