Alan Bernstein, convocation 2019 honorary degree recipient

TL;DR

Graduates are encouraged to embrace their elite education and use their skills to address global challenges, particularly climate change, through a combination of public policy and science.

Transcript

Chancellor Patten, President Gertler, Principal Keil, Provost Moran and Dean Ratcliff, members of the 2019 graduating class of Innis and Trinity Colleges, proud parents and relatives, ladies and gentlemen, I think my time is now up. I am very pleased, and deeply honoured, to be addressing this year's graduating class of both Innis and Trinity. I kn... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Humble origins and education can lead to changing the world with the right support and collaboration.
• 🇨🇫 The climate crisis requires a combination of public policy and scientific advancements.
• 🌐 Graduates have a unique responsibility to address global challenges using their elite education.
• 💭 Collaboration, teamwork, and diversity of thought are crucial in finding solutions to complex problems.
• 🛄 Change is constant, and graduates must aim for impact rather than perfection.
• 💱 The urgent threat of climate change requires a comprehensive strategy involving renewable energy.
• 🪡 Solar energy, if effectively harnessed, has the potential to meet all of humanity's energy needs.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the three lessons the speaker draws from the historic plaques?

The speaker highlights that Lester Pearson, Beatrice Worsley, and Jim Till were all Canadians, coming from humble origins, and graduates of prestigious universities. They changed the world not alone but with support from exceptional minds, advanced education, and strong advisory committees.

Q: How does the speaker describe the climate crisis and its solutions?

The speaker quotes President Obama, calling climate change the defining issue of this century. They suggest two approaches: public policy to transition to a renewable energy economy and scientific advancements to develop new materials for harvesting and storing solar energy. They emphasize the complementary nature of both approaches.

Q: What does the speaker recommend to the graduates in terms of addressing global challenges?

The speaker advises graduates to recognize that change is inevitable and to embrace the opportunity to shape the world they want to live in. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and diversity of thought in addressing the numerous challenges humanity faces.

Q: Why does the speaker believe that the graduates have a special responsibility?

The speaker asserts that as graduates of a prestigious university, the graduates are a part of the world's elite and have received an exceptional education. They believe that the graduates have the skills and determination necessary to tackle the unknown challenges that lie ahead.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker addresses a graduating class, congratulating them on their achievement and emphasizing the importance of their parents' support.

• Three historic plaques near the speaker's workplace, representing Lester Pearson, Beatrice Worsley, and Jim Till, inspire lessons about changing the world through education and collaboration.

• The speaker highlights the urgent threat of climate change and the need for both public policy and scientific advancements to transition to renewable energy.