The best things in life are nearest: Robert Louis Stevenson We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Native American proverb In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. Traditional Iroquois Saying Let us a little permit Nature to take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we. Michel de Montaigne You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard. Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, co-founder of Earth Day In the long term, economic sustainability depends on ecological sustainability.
If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn. Chinese proverb Food is our common ground, a universal experience. James Beard I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time. Steven Wright I think God's going to come down and pull civilization over for speeding. Steven Wright I bought an ant farm. I don't know where I am going to get a tractor that small! Steven Wright Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them. Eeyore, from A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh True wisdom consists in not departing from nature and in molding our conduct according to her laws and model. Seneca It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. Jimmy Carter Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. John Muir There are 70 pesticides that are listed as known or probable carcinogens, based on animal testing. Of those 70, 44 are in use today, and 23 are used on our food. Gina Solomon, specialist in internal medicine [2001] Even though cars get worse gas mileage than two decades ago, they actually have become much more efficient. The problem is that the efficiency went into more power and larger, heavier vehicles, not into fuel economy. If all of the technological efficiency improvements had gone into efficiency, miles per gallon would be significantly higher than they are today. Neal Elliott, Industrial Program Director,American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy A farmer purchased an old, run-down, abandoned farm with plans to turn it into a thriving enterprise. The fields were grown over with weeds, the farmhouse was falling apart, and the fences were broken down. During his first day of work, the town preacher stops by to bless the man's work, saying, "May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!" A few months later, the preacher stops by again to call on the farmer. Lo and behold, it's a completely different place. The farm house is completely rebuilt and in excellent condition, there is plenty of cattle and other livestock happily munching on feed in well-fenced pens, and the fields are filled with crops planted in neat rows. "Amazing!" the preacher says. "Look what God and you have accomplished together!" "Yes, reverend," says the farmer, "but remember what the farm was like when God was working it alone!" Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. Rachel Carson And my personal favorite: As the farmer who won the lottery said when asked what he was going to do with his winnings, |