Everything is connected to everything else. Everything must go somewhere. Nature knows best. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Barry Commoner More Quotes by Barry Commoner More Quotes From Barry Commoner It reflects a prevailing myth that production technology is no more amenable to human judgment or social interests than the laws of thermodynamics, atomic structure or biological inheritance. Barry Commoner inheritance technology law The modern technologist is less 'sorcerer' and more 'sorcerer's apprentice'. Barry Commoner apprentice modern The environmental crisis is a global problem, and only global action will resolve it. Barry Commoner environmental problem action I see no reason to have my shirts ironed. It's irrational. Barry Commoner irrational shirts reason No action is without its side effects. Barry Commoner side-effects sides action The AEC scientists were so narrowly focused on arming the United States for nuclear war that they failed to perceive facts - even widely known ones - that were outside their limited field of vision. Barry Commoner vision war facts For that reason the simple test of the slogan 'Consume Less' as a basis for social action on the environment would be to tell it to the blacks in the ghetto. The message will not be very well received for there are many people in this country who consume less than is needed to sustain a decent life. Barry Commoner ghetto simple country The first law of ecology is that everything is related to everything else.---->I dont believe in environmentalism as the solution to anything. What I believe is that environmentalism illuminates the things that need to be done to solve all of the problems together. Barry Commoner law together believe Perhaps one of the most meaningful ways to sense the impact of the environmental crisis is to confront the question which is always asked about Lake Erie: how can we restore it? I believe the only valid answer is that no one knows. For it should be clear that even if overnight all of the pollutants now pouring into Lake Erie were stopped, there would still remain the problem of the accumulated mass of pollutants in the lake bottom. Barry Commoner lakes meaningful believe In nature, no organic substance is synthesized unless there is provision for its degradation; recycling is enforced. Barry Commoner recycling degradation substance Seen that way, the wholesale transformation of production technologies that is mandated by pollution prevention creates a new surge of economic development. Barry Commoner prevention technology development The most meaningful engine of change, powerful enough to confront corporate power, may be not so much environmental quality, as the economic development and growth associated with the effort to improve it. Barry Commoner environmental-quality powerful meaningful Recycling is a good thing to do. It makes people feel good to do it. The thing I want to emphasize is the vast difference between recycling for the purpose of feeling good and recycling for the purpose of solving the trash problem. Barry Commoner differences feel-good people What is new is that environmentalism intensely illuminates the need to confront the corporate domain at its most powerful and guarded point - the exclusive right to govern the systems of production. Barry Commoner environmental powerful needs Earth Day 1970 was irrefutable evidence that the American people understood the environmental threat and wanted action to resolve it. Barry Commoner earth-day firefighter people We are in an environmental crisis which threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation. Barry Commoner earth-day environmental survival Science is triumphant with far-ranging success, but its triumph is somehow clouded by growing difficulties in providing for the simple necessities of human life on earth. Barry Commoner triumph growing simple The environmental crisis is a sign that the ecosphere is now so heavily strained that its continued stability is threatened. It is a warning that we must discover the source of this suicidal drive and master it before it destroys the environment-and ourselves. Barry Commoner environmental suicidal warning The gap between brute power and human need continues to grow, as the power fattens on the same faulty technology that intensifies the need. Barry Commoner gaps technology needs The weapons were conceived and created by a small band of physicists and chemists; they remain a cataclysmic threat to the whole of human society and the natural environment. Barry Commoner small environment band society
