David Suzuki: Oil Employee Resigns to Support Environmental Research

I am a great believer that we are not our jobs, we do have a responsibility to resign if we feel it is not in the social good.  I gave up an opportunity to work for a scientific organisation here in Australia given they were engaged in genetic engineering.  I chose to live with $20 in my bank account as I refuse to lend my energy to something that undermines the blueprint of life.  I’ve done that all my life and I can say honestly, I am glad I followed my integrity.  It seems at the time a sacrifice but it shunts you down pathways that are true for you.  Betrayal of self is the greatest betrayal.  Are you following your integrity?

 

David Suzuki Foundation

 

 

Melting arctic ice.
Ian Bruce, Science & Policy Manager

Dear Susan,

Working for the oil industry made me an environmentalist. You might find this shocking from someone at the David Suzuki Foundation.

Now I’m doing innovative, cutting-edge research to find solutions that will reduce society’s dependence on fossil fuels. But I need your help.

Will you support my work with a gift of $40 today?

When I was younger, I worked for the petroleum industry, but what I witnessed in the Gulf of Mexico forever changed my life. I’ll never forget it.

Standing on the bridge of a ship, I had a 360-degree view of an alarming scene: A city of oil platforms – each almost the size of a city block – extending to the horizon in almost every direction. Huge plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky.

A short time later, I resigned my position.

I’m so glad I that can now focus on environmental solutions. The recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirm the need for this work. It shows that scientists are more certain than ever that humans are largely responsible for the changing climate – primarily because of burning fossil fuels – and that it’s getting worse and poses a serious threat to humanity.1

I know the only way to keep the risk of climate change at bay is to wean ourselves – and our economy – off fossil fuels. Please support my groundbreaking research that examines what Canada’s low-carbon energy future could be.

Our future will not be determined by chance. It will be determined by choice.

I switched my focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy. So can Canada.

Sincerely,

Signature: Ian Bruce

Ian Bruce, Science and Policy Manager
David Suzuki Foundation


References:

1. International Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (http://www.ipcc.ch/).

Mohandas Gandhi

“My life is my message.”

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