Dr. David Suzuki

A world-renowned geneticist, academic and broadcaster, Dr. David Suzuki has educated the public for over 40 years on environmental issues. Dr. Suzuki is the passionate author of more than 30 books and has earned a reputation world-wide as an environmental guru.

In 1979, Dr. Suzuki became the host of The Nature of Things, which became one of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's most popular television shows. For three decades this award-winning program would make viewers aware of little known subjects such as the language of animals; the growth of big business farming; and the future of the Arctic. Always ahead of his time, in 1987 he broadcast a groundbreaking episode focused on the emerging AIDS/HIV epidemic, providing many viewers with their first understanding of the disease.

Dr. David Suzuki

Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has been dedicated to finding innovative solutions to help conserve the natural world. Most recently the Foundation has come forward to encourage Canada to implement the United Nations Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas reduction.

The world has gratefully acknowledged Dr. Suzuki's passion for science. Awards include a UNESCO prize for science, a United Nations Environment Program medal and an induction as an Officer of the Order of Canada. He has 15 honorary doctorates from universities in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. In addition, Canada's First Nations people have honored him with five native names and he has been formally adopted by two tribes.

Recently, David Suzuki traveled across Canada, visiting 50 cities, on the "If you were Prime Minister" tour. The aim of this tour was to find out what Canadians all over the country want to do to protect the environment, and take these concerns to the government in Ottawa. To facilitate this, there is a website (http://youtube.com/group/you4PM) where people can upload their own 15-30 second home video expressing their viewpoint. David Suzuki believes that protecting our world is everyone's right and responsibility. Today Dr. Suzuki dedicates his time to informing the public about the importance of the natural world. Highly respected as a person who speaks his truth, he is often placed alongside the likes of Carl Sagan and Jacques Cousteau as one of the world's most effective ambassadors of science.

For his dedication and enthusiasm to protect the natural world, Supreme Master Ching Hai has awarded him the Shining World Leadership Award, to which he expressed his appreciation: "Thank you for the recognition of my work. I am deeply honored at being the recipient of the Award."

Letters from Dr. Suzuki and his Executive Assistant to express the honor and acknowledgment of receiving the award from Master.

Reference: http://www.cbc.ca/greatest/top_ten/nominee/suzuki-david.html