winter 2015 finding www.davidsuzuki.org SOLUTIONS David Suzuki and Tara Cullis got the idea for the David Suzuki Foundation after a meeting of minds in 1989. A year to celebrate This year and next mark special occasions for David Suzuki and produce real change.” They decided it had to be science-based, the Foundation. In September, we celebrated 25 years of bringing and that it shouldn’t accept government grants. In 1990, the David scientific understanding and solutions to the environmental Suzuki Foundation was born, despite objections from Suzuki about challenges Canada faces. And in March, our co-founder David having it named for him. Suzuki will celebrate his 80th birthday. Over the past 25 years, the Foundation has changed and grown. Suzuki already had a history of science and environmental Thanks to your support, it’s succeeded in bringing about positive advocacy and activism when CBC Radio asked him to host a five- change in many areas, from helping to reform the trawl-fishing part series called It’s a Matter of Survival in 1988. That program industry to getting legal protection for species at risk and their drew more than 16,000 letters (in pre-email days), many from habitat to researching climate change solutions. people asking what they could do. Suzuki’s wife, Tara Cullis, Although David Suzuki is no longer officially affiliated with the suggested it was time to be more than just messengers. In late 1989, Foundation, he remains one of our most committed volunteers and they invited a small group of thinkers to Pender Island to discuss donors. At the Foundation, we’re proud of the work we’ve done and ideas. They agreed on the need for an organization that went are happy to wish our co-founder a happy 80th birthday. And we beyond responding to individual crises. want to thank all of you for making the past 25 years memorable As Suzuki wrote in his autobiography, “An organization was and successful and for supporting us in the years to come. There’s needed to focus on root causes, so that steps could be taken to still a lot of work left to do! Blue Dot keeps rocking 2 Paris summit 3 Homegrown rain gardens 6 80th Birthday 8 Canada must contribute to climate talks Blue Dot movement keeps on rocking PHOTO: BRENN, MOYAN FLICKR From Pope Francis’s encyclical to (58 per cent) support a carbon tax to Ontario’s commitment to a cap-and- limit emissions domestically and an trade system and everything in between, even greater majority (74 per cent) are 2015 has proven to be a groundbreaking confident that renewable energy can PHOTO: JOHANN WALL, JOHANNWALL.COM WALL, JOHANN PHOTO: year for worldwide climate action. become the dominant form of power The culmination of global efforts will generation in their home province. undoubtedly be the United Nations You can get involved by telling your climate summit in Paris in December. The government representatives to push for David Suzuki Foundation has spent the three Canada-focused outcomes in Paris: past several months ramping up public engagement and government outreach 1. A commitment to put a national in anticipation of a binding international price on carbon pollution agreement. 2. A pledge from the Alberta A poll released on September 28 by government to start phasing out the Foundation in partnership with coal power immediately, with the Environics Institute revealed that World leaders will meet in Paris in December complete elimination within 10 to Canadians’ expectations for political to hammer out a climate agreement. 15 years Neil Young recently donated $100,000 from a Vancouver concert to the Foundation's Blue Dot campaign. leaders’ involvement in a global deal 3. Increased investment in renewable to reduce carbon emissions are high 66 per cent of those who support an energy across the country and growing. Overall, 61 per cent of agreement said they would be upset if The Blue Dot movement is on a roll. the Blue Dot Tour a little over a year ago. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadians believe the country should Canada were not involved. Poll results These outcomes require collaboration Thanks to our amazing volunteers and The support we’ve received from people More than half the world’s nations offer sign an international agreement, and also revealed a majority of Canadians from all levels of government. donors, more than 90 municipalities across Canada — volunteers, donors, constitutional guarantees for the right to — representing at least one in seven artists, musicians and politicians — has live in a healthy environment, but Canada Canadians — have passed environmental exceeded our wildest expectations and does not. Recognition of every Canadian’s rights declarations. shows how important environmental right to clean air, safe water, healthy food Nurturing tomorrow's environmental leaders Now the campaign is reaching the protection is to Canadians. With the and diverse, abundant ecosystems would Everyone loves summer camp. But what future generations.” Chris reflected on provincial level. In an unprecedented movement growing so quickly, we’re lead to stronger environmental laws, if it included fun activities and essential the importance of self-care in the world move, municipal leaders from well on our way to having the right to better enforcement of existing laws and learning for tomorrow’s environmental of activism: "What surprised me most throughout B.C. spoke passionately on a healthy environment included in the improved environmental performance. CHEVERIE CALDER PHOTO: leaders? That’s what happened for 50 about this camp was how focused it was behalf of a provincial right to a healthy young people, aged 17 to 35, from across on people, not the environment. I needed environment at the September Union of British Columbia who attended Camp that, I needed to be reminded that I need B.C. Municipalities annual meeting. After Suzuki: Howe Sound, held at Camp to take care of myself before trying to a nail-biting vote, the UBCM passed a Fircom on Gambier Island this year. take care of the world.” resolution calling on the B.C. government Participants from the Squamish Nation Following camp, participants become to enact an environmental bill of rights. and local communities came together Howe Sound stewards through six-month Forty B.C. municipalities have already for a week to share experiences and volunteer placements with organizations passed their own environmental rights learn about local ecosystems, traditional working to protect the region. Camp declarations. Squamish perspectives and the basics of Suzuki: Howe Sound was supported and In October, Manitoba committed community organizing and social change. Camp Suzuki: Howe Sound gave 50 young run by the Foundation, the Squamish to developing environmental rights Camp Suzuki: Howe Sound gave participants an opportunity to learn about Nation and the United Church (Camp legislation. Premier Greg Selinger said participants the opportunity to grow First Nations traditions and environmental Fircom’s owners). he will introduce the bill before the and reflect while being welcomed into stewardship. Howe Sound is experiencing an provincial election set for April 19. a community of like-minded, inspiring astonishing marine rebirth as herring, The Blue Dot movement also got a individuals. Squamish Nation leaders who wrote: “It didn’t matter if I had salmon, porpoises and whales return boost from rock icon Neil Young, who shared teachings about the traditional as much knowledge or experience as after years of absence. We expect donated $100,000 from his Vancouver The Pas, Manitoba, has passed an environmental rights declaration. Now the province is set to importance of Howe Sound stretching everyone else there, what I had was these young environmental leaders concert in October. Young helped launch enact one as well. back thousands of years. a desire to learn and a passion for the will play a big role in making sure the The experience’s power to transform land I share with every other living Sound’s ecosystem remains healthy for was captured by participants like Emily, creature, a land I simply borrow from generations to come. 2 3 briefs Western Canadian Accounting for nature makes cents provinces vying for The small community of Gibsons on B.C.’s and helping with the town’s plans for Sunshine Coast has become a leader monitoring and maintenance. “climate leader” status in North America for its approach to Gibsons is finding that when nature managing and conserving nature. With is accounted for and valued alongside Over the past few months, we’ve seen a flurry of activity the Foundation’s help, the town now other municipal assets the town can from subnational governments regarding strategies to includes natural assets such as creeks, better prepare for the effects of climate reduce carbon emissions and drive investment in renewable watersheds and beaches alongside capital change. The approach, which uses energy. Almost in unison, Canada’s two westernmost assets such as roads and sewer pipes in natural capital tools, also supports efforts provinces launched efforts to strengthen plans to tackle its financial management approach. It to become carbon-neutral, ensuring an climate change — B.C. with its Climate Action Plan 2.0 and has adopted a strategy that recognizes easier transition to a low-carbon future. Alberta with the Climate Leadership Plan. environmental assets can provide clear Nature’s ability to manage rainwater, Each effort has involved lengthy public consultations, benefits over engineered infrastructure. control floods and purify water is and the David Suzuki Foundation has provided The town is valuing nature’s services expected to reduce the municipality’s risk recommendations on how to achieve emissions reductions With help from the David Suzuki Foundation, such as cleaning the water and air, and operating and maintenance costs.