Biography
Severn Suzuki is a Canadian environmental activist, writer, and speaker known internationally for her advocacy on climate change and sustainability.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on November 30, 1979, Suzuki began activism at age nine. While attending Lord Tennyson Elementary School in French Immersion, she founded the Environmental Children's Organization (ECO), a group dedicated to learning about and teaching environmental issues.
In 1992, at age twelve, Suzuki and three other ECO members raised funds to attend the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where she delivered a powerful speech that became known worldwide as "The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes." The following year, she was honored on the United Nations Environment Program(UNEP) Global 500 Roll of Honor and published Tell the World, a guide for families on environmental stewardship.
Suzuki earned a B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Yale University in 2002, later completing graduate studies in ethnobotany at the University of Victoria. Her work has included co-hosting the children's television series Suzuki's Nature Quest, co-founding the Skyfish Project think tank, and serving on Kofi Annan's Special Advisory Panel. She is featured in the 2010 documentary Severn, the Voice of Our Children and serves as a council member for Earth Charter International.
In September 2021, Suzuki became Executive Director of the David Suzuki Foundation. She continues advocating environmental and climate action.
Sources:
Severn Cullis-Suzuki. Severn Cullis-Suzuki – Environment and Culture Activist, Speaker & Author. Severn Cullis-Suzuki, https://severncullissuzuki.com
David Suzuki Foundation. Severn Cullis-Suzuki – Expert Profile. David Suzuki Foundation, https://davidsuzuki.org/expert/severn-cullis-suzuki/#:~:text=She%20hold…