If you’re looking for some motivation and inspiration to live a sustainable lifestyle, these 22 sustainable quotes can help. From inventors to environmentalists and even poets, these words of wisdom will provide plenty of motivation to stay focused on your green goals.

1. “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

This famous Franklin D. Roosevelt quote about soil and forests highlights the importance of protecting our environment for future generations. Nearly 100 years later, Roosevelt’s wisdom remains true. If we don’t take better care of our forests and soils, we could face dire consequences in terms of air pollution, public health, and more. Sustainable living ensures that all people can enjoy the beauty and benefits the natural world has to offer.

2. “Sustainability means responsibly meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” – Adapted from The United Nations World Commission on Environment & Development 1987

This quote captures the essence of sustainable living– finding ways to meet present needs without depleting resources for future generations. Development, pollution, and climate change continue to be global challenges that must be addressed sustainably in order for us to create a better world for the future. Sustainable living can help us achieve this goal, by making conscious decisions that promote sustainability and protect the environment.

3. “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi’s quote is a reminder that we should strive to meet our needs while cultivating an attitude of compassion, respect, and responsibility toward the environment. It encourages us to be mindful of our consumption and not be driven by greed or excessive consumption. In order to achieve sustainable development, it is essential that we make conscious decisions that prioritize resource conservation and environmental justice.

4. “Change might not be fast or easy, but with effort, even the longest journey begins with a single step.” -unknown

This is an empowering quote that gives us hope when we face obstacles in our sustainable journey. As seen in many movements and revolutions, true progress takes time. We may feel discouraged by the immediacy of results, but each effort, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect and eventually lead to lasting change. To protect our planet and shift into more sustainable ways of living, it’s important to understand that every little action counts and focus on the bigger picture rather than our immediate environment.

5. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan

This quote highlights the importance of taking individual responsibility for protecting the environment and not relying solely on governments or other entities to solve environmental problems.

6. “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

This quote suggests that spending time in nature can be spiritually and emotionally nourishing, and that protecting the environment can bring benefits beyond its intrinsic value.

7. “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb

This quote underscores the intergenerational responsibility we have to preserve the environment for future generations.

8. “There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard

This quote reminds us that waste disposal is not a solution to environmental problems, as everything we discard ultimately has an impact somewhere else in the environment.

9. “The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.” – Chief Seattle

This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the need to treat the environment with respect and reverence.

10. “In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum

This quote highlights the importance of education in creating a culture of environmental stewardship.

11. “We are not separate from the Earth; we are a part of it, whether we recognize it or not.” – David Suzuki

This quote emphasizes our fundamental connection to the environment and the need to recognize our dependence on it.

12. “Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good.” – Jochen Zeitz

This quote suggests that sustainability should be viewed as an opportunity to create positive change, rather than simply avoiding negative impacts.

13. “The future will either be green or not at all.” – Bob Brown

This quote emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sustainability in all aspects of society in order to secure a livable future.

14. “The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.” – Richard Rogers

This quote highlights the need for collective action to address environmental challenges.

15. “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird Johnson

This quote underscores the importance of recognizing the shared responsibility we have to protect the environment.

16. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

This quote highlights the importance of taking action to address environmental problems, even if it is later than we would have liked.

17. “We are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to.” – Terry Swearingen

This quote emphasizes the urgency of taking action to address environmental problems, as there is no backup plan for our planet.

18. “The environment and the economy are really both two sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.” – Wangari Maathai

This quote highlights the interdependence of the environment and the economy and the need to prioritize sustainability in both.

19. “It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” – Dalai Lama

This quote underscores the shared responsibility we have to protect the environment and the need for individual action.

20. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

This quote suggests that progress towards sustainability begins with small actions and that every little action counts and focus on the bigger picture rather than our immediate environment.

21. “The environment is where we live, where we work, and where we play. It’s everything around us.” – David Suzuki

This quote highlights the pervasive nature of the environment and its importance in all aspects of our lives.

22. “The environment is not a commodity to be traded. It is a necessity for our existence.” – Indigenous Environmental Network

This quote emphasizes the intrinsic value of the environment and challenges the notion that it can be reduced to a mere economic commodity. It reminds us that the environment is essential for our survival and well-being.

Hopefully these sustainable quotes offer powerful insights and perspectives on the importance of protecting the environment and pursuing sustainability. Highlighting the interconnectedness of all living things, the urgency of taking action to address environmental problems, and the need for individual and collective responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. Serving as a reminder that sustainability is not just an option, but a necessity for our survival and well-being. By embracing these principles, we can work together to create a more sustainable future for all.

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