Something extraordinary happened at the UN Earth Summit in Brazil in 1992. A young girl of 12 years of age addressed the forum on behalf of the environmental organisation she had formed with some friends at the age of 9. As you will see from the following video, she spoke eloquently and with clarity and conviction well beyond her years.

What has happened to Severn Suzuki since then? She has gone on to study environmental biology and campaign on environmental issues as a young adult. In 2002, she had an article published in Time Magazine called The Young Can’t Wait, in which she stated:

 

 

 

“Real environmental change depends on us. We can’t wait for our leaders. We have to focus on what our own responsibilities are and how we can make the change happen…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.”

 

 

 

How much more convincing do we need that sustainable living and working are urgent issues?