MADAM CHANCELLOR,
David Suzuki has been called Canada’s environmental conscience. Pointing out what is right and what is wrong, he holds Canadians accountable for our actions and our inactions. With his authenticity, passion and perseverance, Dr. Suzuki inspires us to think critically about the planet and our relationship with it.
UBC’s relationship with Dr. Suzuki began almost 50 years ago. Starting out as a geneticist, he came to UBC as a professor in 1963. Today he is a Canadian icon — a celebrated researcher, science broadcaster and environmental activist.
Through his award-winning work as a radio and television broadcaster, Dr. Suzuki has brought science into the homes of Canadians. The host of the long-running CBC series “The Nature of Things” and former host of “Quirks and Quarks,” he has a gift for making science accessible.
He has worked tirelessly to popularize environmental issues and has a unique ability to convey the state of the planet and his passion for achieving a more sustainable world.
He is also the co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, an organization that works to conserve our environment by providing science-based education, advocacy and policy work, and acting as a catalyst for social change.
As Canada’s best-known environmentalist, Dr. Suzuki is an inspiration to generations of young Canadians. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Order of BC, a UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize for Science, the United Nations Environment Program Medal and the Right Livelihood Award.
Madam Chancellor, for his ability to inspire us to think, act and work together to protect the environment and make the world more sustainable, I ask you to confer the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, upon David Takayoshi Suzuki.