Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 10/02) - Famed environmentalist, TV show host, and author, David Suzuki opened Yellowknife's Interchange on Canadian Studies Conference with a passionate plea, calling on students to get more involved in saving the world's ecosystems.

Nature of Things host Dr. David Suzuki was the keynote speaker for the Interchange on Canadian Studies Conference, which is running all week long at both St. Patrick and Sir John Franklin high schools. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Suzuki, speaking to a crowd of about 300 at Sir John high school, half of them from elsewhere in Canada, pulled no punches during his 90-minute speech.

He attacked everything from big business, genetics research, the mining industry, politicians, the Internet, and urban encroachment on the environment, all as indications that human beings are still not taking responsibility for the declining health of the planet.

"In my lifetime, the population of the Earth has tripled. We are the most numerous mammal on the planet," said Suzuki.

"In a big city, people don't see the connections any more. We are animals, and we don't like to be reminded of it."

Suzuki warned of recent trends among western nations putting the environment on the back burner to satisfy the growing energy demands among industrial nations.

"These guys are lying to the public with their assumptions," said Suzuki, referring to Alberta premier Ralph Klein's desire to pull out of the Kyoto Agreement.

Some of his harsher criticism of politicians, however, were saved for south of the border.

"There's never been a more mediocre person as president of the United States," said Suzuki, while discussing American writer Michael Moore's controversial book on President George W. Bush -- Stupid White Men.

"He literally stole the election. We have one bully who's not afraid to go out their and use his strength."

On the economy, Suzuki accused politicians and big business of pushing growth for the sake of profit over the environment.

"In our demented thinking, the economy has become the most important thing," said Suzuki, while discussing on how the gross domestic product tends to go up when a major tragedy occurs.

"The GDP depends on human misery. What a nutty idea, this GDP, yet business men and politicians tell us it's a measure of success for our society."

Protecting the environment

Suzuki even took a couple of jabs at the laissez faire attitude of Yellowknifers, particularly when it comes to allowing vehicles to run unattended during winter.

"I was shocked when I got out of the airport and saw all these SUVs running," said Suzuki. "As far as I'm concerned, if you own an SUV, you're not interested in protecting the environment."

He closed his speech by telling students to look to their parents to help them make the world a better, cleaner place, and to join an environmental advocacy group, especially one operating at the grassroots.

Some students got busy right away.

One girl stood up during the question and answer period, demanding to know why paper plates and plastic cutlery was used during Sunday night's family barbecue at St. Patrick high school.

National conference co-ordinator Judy Desjarlais apologized, saying it was too late to offer more environmentally-friendly cutlery for lunch Monday afternoon, but promised to "look into it" for future meals during the week-long conference.

Kathleen Stroeder, a Grade 9 student at Sir John, said despite the cumbersome list of demands made on her generation, it is all for the best.

"He was asking a lot out of us, but it'll be better for future generations," said Stroeder.