If, in our haste to 'progress,' the economics of ecology are disregarded by citizens and policy makers alike, the result will be an ugly America. We cannot afford an America where expedience tramples upon esthetics and development decisions are made with an eye only on the present.
Each generation has its own rendezvous with the land, for despite our fee titles and claims of ownership, we are all brief tenants on this planet. By choice, or by default, we will carve out a land legacy for our heirs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the transient nature of human existence and our relationship with the Earth, emphasizing our responsibility to future generations.
Stewart Udall's quote highlights the inherent connection between humanity and the land we inhabit. It suggests that regardless of our claims to ownership, we are temporary residents of this planet. Each generation has the opportunity and obligation to create a legacy that will impact the lives of those who come after us. This perspective calls for a deeper consideration of environmental stewardship and sustainable living, urging us to think beyond ourselves and to recognize our role in the continuum of life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech on environmental conservation at a community event.
More from Stewart Udall
All quotes →America today stands poised on a pinnacle of wealth and power, yet we live in a land of vanishing beauty, of increasing ugliness, of shrinking open space, and of an over-all environment that is diminished daily by pollution and noise and blight.
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