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To view exclusive photos taken at this event, click here.
Just days after the 2008 presidential election, Chairman and CEO Peter Seligmann addressed the guests at Conservation International’s November 6th fundraising dinner in Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion: “The excitement is palpable – it’s a huge moment for the world.” The evening’s theme of Lost There, Felt Here resonated through his remarks that the fate of humanity is interconnected, and this is not a time to hesitate. “There is no way of overstating the urgency posed by climate change,” he said.
Hundreds of CI’s Seattle individual and corporate supporters eagerly viewed Joel Sartore’s stunning photography as the National Geographic photographer shared his musings and impressions about the planet’s condition and future. He challenged the guests with questions of his own: “At what cost do we want to impose on the wilderness? Who are we going to ask to save the planet? I’ve got news for you – we’re going to ask the people at tables sitting right here in this room!”
Canadian David Suzuki, a recognized world leader in sustainable ecology, stirred the audience with a powerful discussion focusing on the imperative need to salvage not just the global economy, which tends to be the center of attention, but also the environment, as a top priority. He believes that we are in a very dangerous situation. The rapt audience applauded vigorously when he said that it’s time to put the “eco” back into economics. His conviction that foresight was never more important than it is today provided a moving and provocative summary of the sentiment expressed during the entire evening’s program.
In this photo: Dr. David Suzuki, award-winning author, television host, and sustainable ecology expert speaking at CI's 2008 Seattle Dinner. Photo Credit: © Ron Wurzer Photography