Dr. David Suzuki on Education for a Changing Biosphere

Education for a Changing Biosphere: Ecology and Economics.

Dr. David Suzuki's keynote address at Simon Fraser University's "First Year in Focus: Engaging Students in their First Year and Beyond" conference on Wednesday May 13, 2009.


Human beings have exploded in numbers, technological prowess and consumptive demand with a consequent ecological footprint that is undermining the very life support systems of the planet.

As we have moved to an urban environment, the economy has become our highest priority predicated on the notion that a healthy economy is constantly growing in order to afford to do everything that matters.

We have come to see the twin crises of economic meltdown and ecological degradation as mutually exclusive so we tackle one or the other. Yet ecology, the study of survival and well being of species, informs us that without clean air, water, soil and energy and biodiversity, like any other species, we suffer and die.

Environmentalism recognizes that we also have social and spiritual needs that are just as essential for the full development of our potential.

The economy, like the market and currency, are not forces of nature like gravity or the laws of thermodynamics. It is a human invention and since it is deeply flawed, it is a mistake to do all we can to perpetuate it, we have to fix it.

Two fundamentals flaws are the dismissal of natures "services" (pollination, cleansing water, exchange of CO2 for O2, etc) as externalities and the belief that the economy can and must grow indefinitely.

Dr. Suzuki explores some of our misconceptions, fundamental truths and reconciliation of ecology and economics.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• SFU
• Simon
• Fraser
• University
• Canada
• David
• Suzuki
• sustainability
• economy
• ecology

[freemanpatriot]

I would add another soulutions to our problem...It's called A Resource Based Economy!Search for The Venus Project!a project by Jacque Fresco.Cheers!

[slamgirl65]

My sons know that our vegetables come from the soil because they help us pick them. They know that our chickens eat the scraps and hunt the pests that threaten the garden. They know that some of the chickens are for eating because they helped their uncle dress them. They also know that some of the chickens are protected so that we can collect the eggs. They run free because they have us and our mutt to protect them from predators. Each of these animals (ourselves included) supports our survival.

[tonyjohnbradley]

@MrSALLINGO look at the canopy of redwood trees. they are reaching for the sky and have bushes and whole ecosystems hundreds of feet in the air. Read about people rebuilding forests. Study endosymbiosis. If people are more compassionate and stop harming all living beings, the planet itself can become mutually symbiotic. In that situation, microorganisms can keep us healthy. Antelope will die of old age, ripe and healthy for the lions. There will be no disease. Trees will reach into outerspace.

[tonyjohnbradley]

I love this video, except I think that the biosphere can grow. It grew to where it is. I think its growth is based on the growth of mutualistic relationships and biodiversity.

[psychalysis]

The Legacy Lecture offers alot to think about and act on. Lateral solutions are imperative for future planning of any resolution(s)..

[sultar881]

thanks for posting great vid!! suzuki is right as for the haggis guy he is a waste of time!!

[PWisthal]

actualy to do what you said you would need approx. 27 million square km. The total surface of US is only about 9 million square km. I think you would have to be a bit less generous if you wanted to fit everyone to texas..

[haggislover1964]

cont 10

Goverments dont work for the regular people , they serve the rich and the courts protect them. We are kept in a perpetual state of debt and taulked too like we where all children, by these so called experts in science and blamed for our own existance. This man would like to convince us that we are all a disease on the planet. Its the new green religion for the world and a propoganda plan for getting the world too accept the UN s plans for depopulation.

[haggislover1964]

cont 9

This scientist has been on countless nature programs telling us that he cares about fuzzy furry animals . He seems too promote himself as a representative of mother nature and a lawyer for planet earth . Well if the people of planet earth where brought to trial, suzuki might just be telling us that , we have some explaining to do. You are not the problem . The power structures that control this planet, are what has to come to an end.

[haggislover1964]

cont 8

We are not rich here in the west. We are a debt based society. We owe too the banks more than the people could possibly pay back. The interest on these loans , sucks our taxes into a never ending vacume cleaner. The principle is never touched. Banks that are privately owned buy a small group of elitists are stealing the real wealth of the western world. This group has the power and wealth to promote any agenda they see fit , too advance propoganda.