Dear Dr. Suzuki,

In answer to your questions that are basically asking, "what motivates people to change their behaviour?"

I feel that in the issue of smoking, 2 factors can be attributed to a change in behaviour. 1. Hitting people in the pocket books is a big factor. and 2. Showing people the devastation casued to health with "scare" tactics, (which I am not a big fan of) by use of pictures and statistics.

As for hand washing as a priority of personal hygiene, again, the template in this case is based upon the actual "scares" people have been subject to through the health care system. ie: The SARS crisis that hit Toronto showed many that protecting ones self from contact with germs in public places could be offset by washing our hands many times each day. Also, the fact that people are using waterless hand cleansers upon entrance to hospitals seems to also be part of the behavioural modification process.

In terms of wanting people to change their behaviour in terms of lessening their personal impact on the environment through action or inaction, as the case may be, it seems that providing words is not enough. Unfortunately, there may be a requirement to show people the aftermath of their continual use of non renewable energy resources at the level of nature, and personal effect of others, locally, nationally and on a world wide basis.

To wit, perhaps, unfortunately, being polite about showing people the right way to go about the changes that are necessary in this difficult time of transformation may be coming to a close as the threat to our environment and human survival are coming to a close.

Dr. Suzuki, perhaps it's time to show humanity the toxins of pollution that enter the human body, and their adverse health reactions that take lives of humans and our eco system with unsightly scientific demonstrations. ie: How particulate may enter the human brain just by breathing in pollution, and having the particulate circulate the blood stream, and, eventually lodging in the brain, which leads to stroke, or, worse.... In another case, perhaps you can demonstrate the statistics of how people are getting asthma at alarming rates, which in turn can cause pre-mature death, or severe respitory problems associated with pollution, and it's out of control production.

Just a couple of ideas Dr. Suzuki. Unfortunately, it seems, disasters that affect all of us on a personal level in our communities, and world wide, just might be the way to motivate behavioural changes. I wish this wasn't the case, but, it seems, scaring the you know what out of people seems to work wonders in terms of behavioural modification.

We are all concerned about our planets survival...or at least we should be...the clock is ticking..and so to is our adaptability in terms of survival.

Thank you and best regards,

Paul

Dr Suzuki

 I believe you are on the right track. Every commited scientists report , court case and news article will contribute to a real credibility in the overall "social conscience".

 How else did smoking move from glamorous and cool to unhealthy and uncool .I read once about  lawsuits on the grounds of a " clear and present danger to childrens health" being used for environmental litigations.If nothing else they would be supported by almost everyone and draw attention to the really urgent issues of turning the corner on the strange question "Is global warming really caused by humans or is it just a natural cycle the earth is going through?" I asked two people at work what they thought of the environmental crisis and they both answered with a very "laugh it off" and " I dont think its a big deal " type of attitude.( neither of them smokes)

  Elizabeths blooper on youtube about Canadians being basically stupid turned me off to her.Coming from someone born in Connecticut I dont feel she has the right to say something like that in an interview . Not to mention it being political suicide. Even tho sometimes It seems to me that all humans are basically stupid or maybe its just self interest.

Anyway in my opinion seeing David Suzuki on the Tonight Show lineup or as the leader of a political party would have a definate impact on societies comfort zones.

What do you think of pair voting ?

 Respectfull Regards

  Dave