As artists, we can help, visually and intellectually, to make people understand that, at some point, we have to accept that it is our collective impact that is putting the whole planet in jeopardy.
Edward BurtynskyRead
Water, like many other resources, is harvested, transported and used throughout all aspects of society. Unlike other resources, water is critical to the survival of all forms of life. The underlying question that sits at the core of my exploration is to what degree can we shape water before it begins to shape us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the critical nature of water in our lives and raises questions about our relationship with it.
Edward Burtynsky's quote reflects on the essential role that water plays not just in sustaining life but also in shaping human society, industry, and our environment. It prompts deep contemplation about how much we can manipulate this vital resource before it begins to impact us adversely, highlighting the interconnectedness between humanity and nature and the responsibility we hold in managing our natural resources sustainably.
Themes
WaterResourcesSocietyLifeSustainabilityNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about environmental sustainability at a conference.
More from Edward Burtynsky
All quotes →Like all animals, human beings have always taken what they want from nature. But we are the rogue species. We are unique in our ability to use resources on a scale and at a speed that our fellow species can't.
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Our planetary system is affected by a magnitude of force as powerful as any naturally occurring global catastrophe, but one caused solely by a single species: us.
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