What is the real bottom line in today's Canada? It's being prepared to cope with climate change and taking action now to help cushion its impact for future generations.

That's the message that award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki brought to the Barrie Campus of Georgian College on Earth Day, Friday, April 22.

Suzuki shared his insights on The Challenge of the 21st Century: Setting the Real Bottom Line with more than 1,400 Georgian students, alumni, staff and supporters. His talk was also livestreamed to students at schools across Simcoe County.

"We're at a critical point – right now we are determining the survival of our species by the end of this century," Suzuki said. "It's an urgent crisis that, for young people, will ripple through your entire lives."

He urged audience members to examine everything in their lives and consider how they can modify their lifestyles to reduce consumption of everything, including "stuff" in general.

The hour-long presentation was part of the President's Thought Leadership Speaker Series, which engages the broader community in the exceptional learning experiences available at Georgian. Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes said that playing host to Suzuki on Earth Day had special significance for her and the entire Georgian College community.

"Having the renowned thought leader Dr. Suzuki, address students and residents from Simcoe County right here at Georgian on Earth Day, is just one of many examples showing that we are all concerned and ready to innovate and act to sustain our great community," said West-Moynes.

The Hon. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, also celebrated Earth Day by attending the event and introducing Suzuki to the crowd.

"It is an honour to celebrate Earth Day with one of the world's most important and influential environmentalists – Dr. David Suzuki," said Murray. "His quest to raise awareness of the impacts our actions have on our habitat, wildlife and environment has led to important behaviour changes here in Ontario, across Canada and around the world."

More than 700 Simcoe County secondary school students attended the keynote session, with about 100 of them staying to participate in full-day environmental workshops organized by Georgian College. Paul Sloan, Superintendent of Education for the Simcoe County District School Board, said elementary and secondary school students were inspired by Suzuki's message.

"I am struck by the passion and commitment of our young people to environmental stewardship," said Sloan. "I am confident that the opportunity to see a Canadian icon speak about environmental responsibility and issues will increase that commitment."

This event was sponsored by TD Friends of the Environment, Johnson Inc. and AMG Environmental Inc.

source: media release, Georigan College