|
The Paula Gordon Show |
|
|
The Paula Gordon Show |
| Natural Stories | |||
Life on earth will be shaped by our stories, so
we'd best find and tell good ones that can guide us away from looming
environmental calamities, according to geneticist and environmentalist
David Suzuki. He is busy practicing what he’s preaching. Why?
Because humans are story-telling creatures and hope must triumph over
fear if we are to solve our enormous problems instead of being paralyzed
by them.
This Program was recorded April 5, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, US.] |
|
Conversation 1 David Suzuki demonstrates the vitality of stories by telling several to Paula Gordon and Bill Russell. He links environmental and health challenges to individual lifestyle choices and celebrates the power of hope.  6:10
secs |
|
Conversation 2 While the earth’s environmental challenges are enormous and it is “late,” Dr. Suzuki describes why he wrote about what people are doing right and well, around the world. He considers why we have not responded better to clear and dire warning signs, then shares a conversation he recently had with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dr. Suzuki distinguishes real communities from images on computer monitors, then describes “species-ism” and profound connections among all life forms. He illustrates with salmon’s pivotal role in the coastal rain forest, as understood by First Nations People. |
|
Conversation 3 Dr. Suzuki traces how economics have shaped the developed and developing world since the end of World War 2, with dire consequences to the environment, then describes new ways of thinking about economics. He draws on his own experience as a geneticist to present powerful examples of how much nature has to teach us. He illustrates with stories about genetic variations, economics, democracy and the power of small organizations. He introduces “ecological economists.” |
|
Conversation 4 Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are faulty measures, Dr. Suzuki declares, comparing them to a Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) which demonstrates -- contrary to GNP/GDP indicators -- the overall decline in quality of life most people have experienced in recent decades. Productivity measurements are challenged. Our real “bottom line,” Dr. Suzuki says, is defined by our biological nature. He reminds that we are animals with powerful social and spiritual needs. He offers a nontraditional concept of reincarnation, then describes how even conservative religions are beginning to understand the destruction of the earth as “sin.” |
|
Conversation 5 Women have a particularly important role to play in confronting a wide range of environmental challenges, Dr. Suzuki says, with examples which he believes bode well for the future. He describes “The Nature Challenge,” concrete programs created to show ordinary people how painless individual actions -- changes in transportation, food and housing -- can significantly lighten our footprint on the planet. Success stories in India represent good news that can be found everywhere, he reports. He expands on the importance of “cores, corridors and carnivores,” and of beginning to take the future seriously. |
|
Conversation 6 Using up our children’s and grandchildren’s future is NOT PROGRESS, Dr. Suzuki declares, eager to redefine it. He predicts that in 10 years, the United States government’s denial of the scientific evidence for global warming will be considered a criminal act. Nature has in the past been unbelievably forgiving, he says, confident that if we give her the room, that opportunity still exists. |
|
Acknowledgements Please read David Suzuki’s book: Good
News for a Change: How Everyday People are Helping the
Planet. It is full of hope and possibility and inspiration
for things that EACH of us can do to Make A Difference in this critical
time for life on earth. Thank you, Dr. Suzuki. |
|
Related Links: |
3:29
secs