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Suzuki says environment must trump economy by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, November 5, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Environmental activist David Suzuki says economic concerns must not take priority over discussion of environmental issues. The host of CBC's The Nature of Things spoke about the impact humans are having on the Earth during a presentation at Sheridan College Monday morning. The event attracted more than 200 people, who listened intently as Suzuki discussed environmental issues and the mindset people have when it comes to facing those issues. "I believe that, so long as we define issues and solutions in this way, where the economy is a major part of furthering the issue, we will, in fact, not really address the problems seriously," said Suzuki. "If we can't address the problems seriously, we can't come up with really important solutions." Suzuki noted humanity is at a unique and critical moment in its history where humans have become such a force on this planet that we have altered its physical, chemical and biological properties. He said our growing population, technology, consumption rates and the global economy have created a massive ecological footprint that is undermining the air, water, soil -- the things people need to live. Environmental activist David Suzuki was at Sheridan College Monday to speak to students about environmental concerns. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or Facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) The environmental movement in Canada has fought back over the years and has had some victories, he noted. One such win Suzuki discussed was stopping a proposal to drill for oil in the Hecate Strait off the coast of British Columbia. Thirty-five years later, Suzuki said he has realized this and other victories were only temporary as such proposals are now back on the agenda. "We failed fundamentally to shift the way we see our place on the planet and so it was inevitable these problems would come up again and again," said Suzuki. "We didn't use those battles as a way to get people to see a different perspective." He said people need to stop doing things like looking at trees and seeing money and jobs that can be created from the destruction, but rather look at those same trees and see machines that take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and absorb water from the ground to prevent flooding, erosion and mudslides. One of the mentalities Suzuki is battling is that the economy is all that matters. He said as soon as there is any kind of economic problem, that issue trumps environment every time. Suzuki reminded those present the economy is an invention, but people treat it like it is this thing on which the future depends. He argued that for people to continue to see It's on p.8 INJURED? I Can Help! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca PLATINUM Come CelebrateWith Us On Our "" 1 Year Anniversary · FREE Coffee ORTea Thursday November 12th BREAKFAST & LUNCH · Door Prizes · Serving Celebratory Cake Open 7 days a week 7 am - 3 pm with the purchase of an entrée * Terms and conditions apply. Excluding holidays. Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law 905.257.5126 www.sunnysidegrill.com 2501 Prince Michael Dr., Oakville, L6H 0E9