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David Suzuki is still fighting the good fight By Shawna Cohen
David Suzuki remembers being a young child and his father taking him out in a rowboat to catch trout in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. That was in the early 1940s, long before those fish became inedible and eventually disappeared because of toxins. If Suzuki had his way, we’d understand the importance of returning to those days—a time when you could drink water straight from the river or run through a forest without stumbling upon a housing complex. “The world is changing,” says Suzuki, Canada’s most outspoken environmental activist, scientist, TV personality and author. “Humans have become such a dominant part of the planet, and that’s because we’re undermining the ability of other life forms to continue to survive.” At age 74, he hasn’t given up his fight to save the planet. His latest book, The Legacy (Greystone Books, 2010), and documentary film Force of Nature—are both based on a lecture he gave at the University of British Columbia in 2009 that shares Suzuki’s knowledge of our detrimental impact on the environment and his hope for a sustainable future. It’s heavy stuff, but Suzuki has the ability to tackle these topics—and make us care about them—without sounding preachy. He insists the world is in a major crisis, that the Earth will not be able to sustain us if we continue on our current path, yet there’s something soft and likeable about Suzuki even while he delivers this grim news. He speaks with pride about his grandchildren, including the youngest, a boy named Ganhlaans (which, in Haida Gwaii, where the boy’s father is from, means “people who stand together”). Suzuki was adopted by the Haida people as an honorary son, and he lists this region, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia, as his favourite Canadian destination because of its natural beauty. He’s just as passionate about the Galápagos Islands. “Animals in the Galápagos haven’t learned to fear humans,” he says. “I find that so humbling because any animal on the planet should run for its life when it sees a human being. We’ve been very destructive.” These days, Suzuki doesn’t travel as much as he used to because he wants to reduce his carbon footprint. He encourages others to do the same. “Do more camping. Take a train or bus, then maybe rent a fuel-efficient car,” says Suzuki, who drives a Toyota Prius (he was the first Canadian to buy one back in 2000). Clearly, Suzuki shows no sign of slowing down. “I’m way past the age where I should have retired,” he admits. “But I can’t give up as long I can be effective in taking a message out there. It’s not about me or even my children anymore. It’s about my grandchildren and what kind of world they’re going to have.” 18 | caamagazine.ca | WINTER 2010
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Christine Cushing, host of Viva and W's Fearless in the Kitchen, offers this sweet winter treat. A splash of coffee liqueur gives hot chocolate a grown-up twist (omit the alcohol to make it kid-friendly). Always use high-quality chocolate for that rich chocolaty taste. Visit Cushing's website for great recipe ideas and more: www.christinecushing.com. Ingredients 5 oz. (140 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped with a serrated knife 4 cups (1 L) whole milk, preferably organic 1 vanilla bean, cut in half, scraped 1/3 cup (80 mL) Kahlúa Garnish 1/4 cup (60 mL) whipping cream (35%), whipped cocoa powder or finely grated allspice method 1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring milk and vanilla bean scrapings to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate, whisking until it has melted and the mixture is frothy. Return to heat if not fully melted. Add liqueur and continue to whisk until mixture is just hot. 2. Remove from heat, pour into mugs and top with whipped cream. Dust with cocoa and/or allspice. Makes about 6 cups.
photos: [suzuki] Shannon Mendes; [hot chocolate] istockphoto.com
Answering Nature's Call
For the first time since their 1967 debut, the Canada Winter Games will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, next year. From February 11 to 27, cheer on Canadian athletes as they compete in more than 20 sports, from hockey to table tennis. The new $40-million Canada Games Centre will host several indoor events, while the Halifax Metro Centre and Dartmouth Sportsplex will be home to hockey fans on the lookout for the next Sidney Crosby (who competed at the 2003 Winter Games). And if you see two Nova Scotia duck-tolling retrievers, say hi to Anni and Sammi, the Games’ mascots, who will welcome the 13 teams, which include 3,500 athletes, coaches and managers. For more information, visit www.canadagames2011.ca.