Dr. David Suzuki celebrated Earth Day today at Georgian College.
The Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation and award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster spoke to a sold out audience of young and old.
His message of taking responsibility for protecting the earth received a standing ovation.
There were hundreds of high school students in the audience and a few younger children who were absent from school to hear Suzuki.
"I thought it was good," said eight-year-old Owen Symes, who was with his dad.
"I learned some stuff and I didn't have to go to school."
In a hour-long address, Suzuki touched on issues including pesticide use, the Alberta oil sands, consumerism, and urban growth.
"We can no longer go on thinnking that the economy is the highest priority . . . because it's not," he said, suggesting that focusing on ecology and the environment would ensure a healthy future.
Admitting that he has been to WalMart just once in his life, Suzuki encouraged those in the audience to consume less ... to purchase the things they need and not everything they want.
"When I see people walking around today with blue jeans that are already cut up when they get them . . . it makes me sick. Our consumption now ramps up our ecological footprint."
Katie George, 17, likes what she heard.
"I think we need to listen to people like him, because we need to understand the impact of the things we do," she said. "We do buy too many things that we don't need and now I know that the result is bad for the world."
George says she will try Suzuki's "30 by 30" challenge next month.
The challenge is to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside for 30 days in May.
"Smoking outside a building is not being outside," Suzuki told the crowd.
"I want to urge everyone to take the challenge and realize how disconnected we are from Mother Earth."
The presentation was part of the President’s Thought Leadership Speaker Series, which engages the broader community in the exceptional learning experiences available at Georgian.
College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes said that playing host to Suzuki on Earth Day had special significance for her and the entire Georgian College community.
"I believe you have inspired us all," West-Moynes said following Suzuki's speech.
"I can see the brains spinning out there and I'm sure they will be talking about how you told us to wake up and realize that the earth is ours to protect."
More than 700 Simcoe County secondary school students attended the keynote session, with about 100 of them staying to participate in full-day environmental workshops organized by Georgian College.
“I am struck by the passion and commitment of our young people to environmental stewardship,” said Paul Sloan, Superintendent of Education at the Simcoe County District School Board.
“I am confident that the opportunity to see a Canadian icon speak about environmental responsibility and issues will increase that commitment.”
