Lessons From a Lifetime: Ninety Years of Inspiration and Activism

by David Suzuki, Ian Hanington

This keepsake collection, featuring tributes from Margaret Atwood and Neil Young, captures the essence of a revolutionary life as it celebrates the legacy of environmental icon David Suzuki.

Across his 90 years on planet Earth, David Suzuki has inspired generations of his followers to fight for environmental and social causes with courage and conviction. In Lessons From a Lifetime, Suzuki shares pearls of wisdom and hard-earned lessons for the next generation of activists, alongside personal stories and heartfelt contributions from his friends and family, his admirers, and even his opponents,
Margaret AtwoodNeil YoungJane FondaElizabeth MayJustin Trudeau… and many more.
In words and photographs, Lessons From a Lifetime shares David Suzuki's journey from surviving internment camps as a Japanese-Canadian child to becoming North America's most trusted voice in science communication. The book charts his years as a geneticist and superstar professor at the University of British Columbia; his dedication to demystifying complex science through his public broadcasting work, especially his beloved CBC Television program, The Nature of Things; his founding of The David Suzuki Foundation; and his unparalleled dedication to standing up for Indigenous and environmental rights, a dedication that continues today.

A stunning tribute to a fearless truth-teller who transformed how we understand our relationship with the natural world, Lessons From a Lifetime belongs on every bookshelf.

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

David Suzuki is a Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist. A long time activist to reverse global climate change, Suzuki co-founded the David Suzuki Foundation in 1990, to work "to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us." The Foundation's priorities are: oceans and sustainable fishing, climate change and clean energy, sustainability, and David Suzuki's Nature Challenge. He also served as a director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association from 1982-1987.

Reviews

[Karyann Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was visiting Bowen Island for the weekend and wearing my David Suzuki socks (as a true fan of science does), then I stumbled upon this in the book shop which felt kismet.
I know his 90th birthday is set to be a fabulous event in Vancouver but after looking at the ticket prices it just feels out of my budget however, this wonderful book was in my budget.
I took moments on my weekend getaway to read this book and I found myself crying tears of joy and laughing out loud. His memories reminded me that even the great heroes in activism have challenges and keep going. Not giving up on your passion and standing up in the face of criticism is a part of activism. His advice to James Hogan to give the speech anyway and speak your truth always is good advice for all of us.
He has ingrained into Canadians that it is important to love and protect our nature/lands/planet. Honestly I think it is a part of Canadian identity. Yes I recycle but I am also going to think critically and question if my recycling is actually happening or if it is systematically harming another nation and our planet. Yes I believe in science but yes I am going to be critical of how it affects the health of humanity and our ecosystems.
Also, I will always respect the sun bear. Happy birthday David Suzuki and thank you for The Nature of Things.

[❀ Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scoring the book at 3.5 although David Suzuki, himself, deserves a 5 star for a life well lived, with impacts outreaching his 90 years!

I enjoyed this retrospective of his life, his legacy and his family. He shared his experiences over the decades starting with the racism in BC when he and his family lived in internment camps while their dad built the trans-Canada highway. he shared his stories about his first and second wives and his two families. One can only imagine how challenging his travel and work commitments must have been to his family. He spoke his truth, was curious and kept learning.

He has been described to be "an example of three most important traits in anyone who wants a better world: courage, persistence, and resilience". he encourages us to "fall in love with the planet" and see ourselves in a "reciprocal relationship with the Earth, not just to take what we need but also to give back".

He describes his legacy as " the lessons I have learned over a lifetime of experience"

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading David Suzuki’s book, Lessons from a Lifetime. It’s a good, easy read. There are many short and interesting vignettes: some with humour, some with good ways to make your voice heard, especially to fight climate change and to support social democracy. One key reference is to his daughter’s short speech at the Rio summit on Climate Change in 1992. Here is a link: Youtu.be/F_O1Au8vZLA. It encourages us all to take action to stop the climate warming. There are other links on Youtube to his daughter's second remarkable speech, also in Rio, about climate change, 20 years later in 2012.

[Kaitlyn Dangerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful tribute to David Suzuki for his 90th birthday. It really captures why he’s such a Canadian icon and lifelong environmental champion. I loved the personal tributes throughout—so moving and inspiring. A fitting celebration of an incredible legacy.
Thank you for continuing to inspire generations.

[Monica Boha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you David Siluzuki for what you have given to Canadians and the world