David Suzuki

David Takayoshi Suzuki was born on March 24, 1936, in Vancouver, British Columbia. His early life was marked by the internment of his Japanese Canadian family during the Second World War, moving from Vancouver to a camp in Slocan, B.C., and later to various locations in Ontario. These experiences, coupled with his father’s encouragement, fostered an early appreciation for nature. He pursued his academic interests, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Amherst College in 1958, where he developed a keen interest in genetics. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Philosophy degree in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961.

Suzuki’s academic career began with research in genetics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Alberta before he joined the University of British Columbia in 1963 as a professor in the genetics department, where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Alongside his academic work, Suzuki launched a prolific broadcasting career, starting with the children’s show ‘Suzuki on Science’ in 1971 and founding the radio program ‘Quirks & Quarks’ in 1974. His most significant broadcasting role began in 1979 as the host of the CBC television series ‘The Nature of Things,’ which has been broadcast in nearly 50 countries and gained him international recognition.

Throughout his career, Suzuki has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection and scientific literacy. In 1990, he co-founded the David Suzuki Foundation with Tara Cullis, focusing on issues like oceans, clean energy, and sustainability. He has been a critical voice against political inaction on climate change and has supported the concept of ecocide as a crime. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the Order of Canada and the Right Livelihood Award, solidifying his status as a leading environmental figure.