In Media 4-1, we are going to learn about one of the world's premier environmental activists, David Suzuki.
In addition to researching about his life, we are going to watch a documentary about him in three parts.
David Suzuki
David Suzuki is a Canadian environmental activist.
Before viewing: Work with a partner or group. Using Wikipedia, find answers to the following questions about David Suzuki:
- Describe the terrible event that happened to Suzuki and his family when he was a child.
- What did Suzuki teach and research at the University of British Columbia for almost forty years?
- Although David Suzuki has created several well-known TV specials, books, and other publications, which broadcast has he continued to work on for more than thirty years? Is it only known in Canada?
- What is Suzuki’s opinion on climate change?
- Why in recent years, has Suzuki limited his travel?
Video 1
Important vocabulary for each part of the documentary has been listed. For each video, there are post-viewing discussion questions. Answer the questions with a partner or group.
Force of Nature - Part 1
David Suzuki talks about the environment.
- David and Goliath
- caucasian
- repercussions
- internment camp
- to confiscate
- resignation (feeling)
- discrimination
- species
- crisis
- ecological footprint
- to sterilize
- to wipe (sth) out
- extinction
- matter (physical)
- the Great Depression
- swamp
Post-Viewing Discussion
- Where were David Suzuki's parents born? What was their native language?
- Why was he picked on as a child in the internment camp?
- What happened to Suzuki’s grandparents?
- What are the repercussions on the environment of an increased world population?
- How did Suzuki compare the aftermath of Hiroshima and the threatened world today?
- Why does he say everybody is still in Hiroshima?
- Why were the fish so valuable at the fish market?
- What are the two symbols which join to convey the word, "crisis" in Chinese? Why is this significant?
Video 2
Force of Nature - Part 2
David Suzuki talks about the environment.
- biosphere
- finite
- test tube
- exponential growth
- to be packed (with sth)
- fruit fly
- maggot
- foresight
- Haida people and Haida Gwaii
- logging
- watershed
- aboriginal
- sacred
Post-Viewing Discussion
- Summarize Suzuki’s comparison of the world’s growth to bacteria in a test tube.
- Why did Suzuki almost quit his career as a scientist?
- What did Guudjaaw mean when he said the Haida would become like everyone else if the watershed were logged?
- What does Suzuki mean when he says, “We are the environment”?
- What does he mean when he says, “We are air”?
- Summarize what Suzuki explained about breaths of air. How do we know we share air with people with the past, present, and future?
- In short, why do you think Suzuki cares so much about the environment?
Video 3
Force of Nature - Part 3
David Suzuki talks about the environment.
Post-Viewing Discussion
- What is Suzuki’s relationship with the Haida?
- Why does Suzuki say “I’m staying” are very powerful words?
- What is Suzuki’s point when discussing all the important things to happen in his home?
- What are Suzuki’s hopes for the future of mankind?