4 North American Asian Environmentalists
Written By: Jacqueline Omdara, Research By: Sheridan Hill
In honour of Asian Heritage month, we want to recognize a few, of the many, Asian environmentalists in North America who have inspired countless around the world. They are David Suzuki, Shane Bernardo, Lilian Liu, and Audrey Lee.
David Suzuki (Vancouver, 86)
Professor, Scientist, & Science Broadcaster
Focus
Started the David Suzuki Foundation which provides an insight into the human impact on the environment and solutions to fight the climate crisis.
Notable Facts
David Suzuki is a Canadian environmental activist. He has a Ph.D. in zoology and is a former genetics professor at UBC. He has worked for many years in science broadcasting and has worked to educate the public on many issues including climate change, overfishing and other environment related issues facing individuals. He is well known for his CBC radio series It’s a Matter of Survival which eventually led to collaboration with other scientists and the creation of the David Suzuki Foundation.
Shane Bernardo (Detroit Michigan)
Food Healer
Focus
Co-founder of Food as Healing which is described as a social movement to focus on the lived experiences, cultures, traditions, beliefs and stories of our ancestors and us living today. Shanes focus is on healing and issues that correspond with food including health, healing and spirituality.
Notable Facts
Shane grew up working in his family grocery store and has observed many different social, economic, political and historical conditions. In Detroit he has worked to promote racial equity by being a committee member for the Michigan Farmers Association and coordinating for the allied Media Conference in Detroit. He has taken on many different fellowships and welcomes all individuals to be a part of his Food As Healing movement.
Lilian Liu (New York)
Sustainability Strategist
Focus
To work with companies and industries in order to provide advice on how they can progress toward more sustainable practices and choices.
Notable Facts
Lilian is currently working as a senior strategist with Futerra and has had diverse experiences from work in the USA to China to Brazil. She has attended the United Nations Global Compact, Redress and Social Accountability International. She gives talks on sustainability and provides advice for companies and organizations including EarthPercent and Fashion Act Now. She has been listed under both the Greenbiz 30 under 30 and the Grist50
Audrey Lee (San Francisco)
Vice President Energy Services
Focus
To reduce the use of fossil fuels and eventually eliminate the use of fossil fuels for energy
Notable Facts
Audrey has a Ph.D. in Electrical engineering and has worked to model energy systems for the US Department of Energy and currently works as the vie president of energy services at Sunrun. She wants to encourage the use of solar energy to make homes more resilient and cleaner for a healthy environment. Sunrun also works to provide solar power to individuals who otherwise could not afford to make the change and they have created a goal to develop 100megawatts of solar power on low income housing in California in the next 10 years.
