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David Suzuki on his autobiography Stages in a Life

For over three decades, David Suzuki has been Canada's foremost environmental conscience. From his experiments with fruit flies to his warnings about genetically modified food, Suzuki has made science relevant, interesting and full of wonder to his audiences. As a broadcaster for the CBC, he has issued frank warnings against industry, the economy and his fellow scientists. Passionate and outspoken, he has also won his fair share of critics. But despite, or perhaps because of this, Suzuki remains undeterred in his message.

As a child, he was interned; growing up, he wanted to deny his Japanese heritage. When he was in college in the United States, he joined the civil rights movement and was captivated by the science of genetics. Upon his return to Canada, he launched a career as one of the country's most outspoken celebrity scientists. Today, he fights for native rights and against rampant consumerism. This is the world according to David Suzuki and he talks about his newly published autobiography in this CBC clip.
• In 1978, Suzuki became the host of The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, an amalgamation of Science Magazine and The Nature of Things. He left his duties as host of Quirks and was succeeded by Jay Ingram, followed by Bob McDonald.

• Metamorphosis: Stages In A Life was dedicated to Suzuki's father. He wrote, "From the genes you gave me, to the lifetime of experience and example, you helped me through much of my metamorphosis."

• Suzuki has three children from his first marriage, Tamiko, Laura and Troy. Suzuki explained that his marriage with his first wife Joanne fell apart because of his steadfast dedication to his lab work and his refusal to sacrifice it for more family time. He married Dr. Tara Cullis in 1972. They have two daughters, Severn and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki.

• At the age of 12, Severn Cullis-Suzuki gained notice at the Rio Earth Summit on the Environment and Development in 1992. She delivered an impassioned speech about the environment and the future which many felt was the highlight of the conference. In the speech Cullis-Suzuki said, "In my life, I have dreamt of seeing the great herds of wild animals, jungles and rain forests full of birds and butterflies, but now I wonder if they will even exist for my children to see."

• Severn Cullis-Suzuki graduated from Yale University in May 2002 with a degree in evolutionary biology and ecology. While at Yale, Cullis-Suzuki helped write the Recognition of Responsibility for young people. The document encourages young people to "commit to a more sustainable lifestyle."
Medium: Television
Program: Midday
Broadcast Date: Nov. 10, 1987
Guest(s): David Suzuki
Host: Valerie Pringle
Interviewer: Peter Downie
Duration: 7:39

Last updated: October 30, 2012

Page consulted on April 10, 2013

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