CBC Archives

If students have completed the activity David Suzuki: Just the Facts, have them review as a class what they have learned about Suzuki. If they have not completed the activity, they can do so now. Alternatively, give students about 30 minutes to browse the topic David Suzuki on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site and ask them to list 10 pertinent facts about Suzuki.

Direct students to the topic David Suzuki on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Have them view Clip #3 and take notes about Suzuki’s messages. As a group, discuss what messages Suzuki tries to share.

In his book Good News for a Change, Suzuki urges Canadians to use a 10-step program to save the environment. Outline these points on the board or on chart paper, or provide them for students on the download sheet The Nature Challenge. Suzuki’s points are:

Make a point of learning more about conserving nature and share what you’ve learned with family and friends

Reduce your home heating and electricity use by 10% this year

Choose appliances that carry the Energy Star approval, and buy energy-efficient homes

Replace lawn and garden pesticides with non-toxic alternatives

Eat meat-free meals at least one day every week

Prepare your meals with food from local farmers and producers for one month this year

If you purchase a car, make sure that it is fuel-efficient and low polluting

Walk, bike, carpool, or use transit to get to one of your regular destinations each week

If you are moving, choose a home within a 30-minute bike-ride, walk, or transit ride from your daily destinations

Support alternatives to the car and push local government for improved public transit and bike paths

In groups of three, have students discuss the steps in general, the ones they do already, and the ones they think they can do and how they can do them.

Lead a discussion with the class about how everyone can try to make a difference. Have students share their group responses with the class. Encourage students to keep a log that outlines the steps they are taking to implement the nature challenge.

Have students use their logs to assess their progress. Students can re-group approximately three weeks after beginning their logs to compare their achievements and trade suggestions with their group members. They can also discuss ways of enlarging the campaign and publicizing it for other classes, the school, or their community.