Friday, February 29, 2008

Only a child...



Severn Cullis-Suzuki (born 1979) is an environmental activist, speaker, television host and author. She has spoken around the world about environmental issues, urging listeners to define their values, act with the future in mind, and take individual responsibility.[1]

In 1992, at the age of 12, Cullis-Suzuki raised money with members of ECO, the Environmental Children Organization (a group she founded) to attend the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro. Along with group members Michelle Quigg, Vanessa Suttie, and Morgan Geisler, Severn presented environmental issues from a youth perspective at the Summit, where she received a standing ovation for a speech to the delegates.[2][3] The group also addressed delegates at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Here you can find the original speech transcript in English.

The young can't wait is an article she wrote for Time magazine. in 2002. In that article she wrote:

But in the 10 years since Rio, I have learned that addressing our leaders is not enough. As Gandhi said many years ago, "We must become the change we want to see." I know change is possible, because I am changing, still figuring out what I think. I am still deciding how to live my life. The challenges are great, but if we accept individual responsibility and make sustainable choices, we will rise to the challenges, and we will become part of the positive tide of change.

Here you can see a photo story where you can read and listen about more people like Severn who have fought for saving the world of making it a better place for everybody to live in peace and harmony.

Now, what do you think about what Severn said that day back in 1992? is is still something we have to worry about?

Source: Wikipedia

1 comment:

Saša said...

Hi, dear Doris and students. I like Gandhi's quotation Severn used in her 2002 article - 'We must become the change we want to see.' It sounds so withing our grasp, so hopeful...
A big hug to all of you from Slovenia