DAVID SUZUKI UNDERSTANDS LIVING HERITAGE

I have long been an admirer of David Suzuki. Even if you don’t agree with his perspective on the world, you have to admire a man who has dedicated his life to making the world a better place. I tend to agree with most of what he writes but I wondered if he had read my work for Heritage Saskatchewan about Living Heritage when I read his comments in the David Suzuki Foundation e-newsletter on January 15, 2016. If you don’t receive this newsletter it is worth signing up for.

Suzuki’s comments were encouraging each of us to keep up the good fight; to continue to build on the momentum around climate change with renewed vigour. This requires us to understand the root causes which, as he explains, are ultimately psychological. In Suzuki’s words, “We see and interact with the world through perceptual lenses, shaped from the moment of conception. Our notions of gender, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status and the environment we grow up in all limit and create our priorities.” I would have said our values, beliefs, and ways of life, in other words our Living Heritage, shape the choices we make for ourselves and others. Still, the words may be different but the meaning is the same.

Suzuki goes on to explain, “We learn to see the world. That, in turn, determines our priorities and actions.” Translation: Living Heritage is determined by the values and beliefs passed from one generation to the next and they shape our behaviour. In addition to our DNA, the world we experience is one we inherit; a world shaped by the actions of others that in turn shapes us; a world we shape as we strive to adapt to changes in our environment. Human beings are incredibly resilient as is Mother Earth, but there are limits, which is something we learn as we age. Suzuki reminds us, “we are the world!” Literally, “we are of the Earth, every cell in our bodies formed by molecules derived from plants and animals, inflated by water, energized by sunlight captured through photosynthesis and ignited by atmospheric oxygen.” Wow! I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I agree with Suzuki, we need to take better care of ourselves and the planet we call home. Without a more responsible, holistic approach to our own wellbeing, all the effort put into growth and development will be in vain. As individuals and groups, we all have more influence and power than we think or are generally encouraged to believe. It is time we recognize the power of Living Heritage in our lives and the world we inherited; and to seriously consider the legacy we will leave to future generations.