Legendary environmentalist and Canadian broadcasting stalwart David Suzuki has announced his plans to retire from hosting CBC's The Nature of Things after 43 years.
The longest-running science series in TV history, The Nature of Things is set to launch its 62nd season on January 6, 2023. Suzuki's final episode will air later in the spring, with new hosting details for the show to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Suzuki shared the news last night (October 23) during an interview with Ian Hanomansing on The National, which you can watch below.
"I have been fortunate to have been endowed with good health which has enabled me to remain the host of the series long after my 'best before date,'" Suzuki told Hanomansing [via CBC]. "Aging is a natural biological process that creates opportunity for fresher, more imaginative input from younger people and for years. I have warned that to ensure the continuation of The Nature of Things, we must prepare for the transition when I leave. That moment is now."
The environmentalist continued, "I am so grateful to Canadians who have kept us on air and to the CBC for sticking with me. The Nature of Things is a unique series that stems from an ecocentric rather than anthropocentric perspective, a critical understanding of how we got into the mess we are in and how to move out of it."
CBC Executive Vice President Barbara Williams added:
David has made science more accessible to countless viewers in Canada and around the world, finding new ways to demystify our complex world and illustrate how the future of humanity and the natural world cannot be separated — long before climate change became a hot topic. We thank David for challenging and inspiring so many of us to look at ourselves and our planet in new ways, and look forward to celebrating his indelible legacy and final season next year.
Suzuki's first episode of the show aired exactly 43 years ago to the day on October 24, 1979. Prior to becoming a broadcaster, he made a name for himself as a distinguished professor and geneticist. Suzuki has written over 50 books, received several honorary degrees and awards and been recognized by the United Nations for his environmental leadership.
The longest-running science series in TV history, The Nature of Things is set to launch its 62nd season on January 6, 2023. Suzuki's final episode will air later in the spring, with new hosting details for the show to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Suzuki shared the news last night (October 23) during an interview with Ian Hanomansing on The National, which you can watch below.
"I have been fortunate to have been endowed with good health which has enabled me to remain the host of the series long after my 'best before date,'" Suzuki told Hanomansing [via CBC]. "Aging is a natural biological process that creates opportunity for fresher, more imaginative input from younger people and for years. I have warned that to ensure the continuation of The Nature of Things, we must prepare for the transition when I leave. That moment is now."
The environmentalist continued, "I am so grateful to Canadians who have kept us on air and to the CBC for sticking with me. The Nature of Things is a unique series that stems from an ecocentric rather than anthropocentric perspective, a critical understanding of how we got into the mess we are in and how to move out of it."
CBC Executive Vice President Barbara Williams added:
David has made science more accessible to countless viewers in Canada and around the world, finding new ways to demystify our complex world and illustrate how the future of humanity and the natural world cannot be separated — long before climate change became a hot topic. We thank David for challenging and inspiring so many of us to look at ourselves and our planet in new ways, and look forward to celebrating his indelible legacy and final season next year.
Suzuki's first episode of the show aired exactly 43 years ago to the day on October 24, 1979. Prior to becoming a broadcaster, he made a name for himself as a distinguished professor and geneticist. Suzuki has written over 50 books, received several honorary degrees and awards and been recognized by the United Nations for his environmental leadership.
