Gaylord Nelson

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.

Teddy Roosevelt of course was a great outdoorsman all his life.

The issues are by some geometric number - 100 or 200 or 500 - times more complicated today than we appreciated them to be when Franklin Roosevelt was around.

If we continue to address the issue of the environment where we live as though we're the only species that lives here, we'll create a disaster for ourselves.

Loads of chemicals and hazardous wastes have been introduced into the atmosphere that didn't even exist in 1948. The environmental condition of the planet is far worse than it was 42 years ago.

In the state of Wisconsin it's mandated that teachers in the social sciences and hard sciences have to start giving environmental education by the first grade, through high school.

The wealth of the nation is its air water soil forests minerals rivers lakes oceans scenic beauty wildlife habitats and biodiversity thats all there is. Thats the whole economy. Thats where all the economic activity and jobs come from. These biological systems are the sustaining wealth of the world.

Franklin Roosevelt was very concerned about environmental issues.

I think the internal combustion engine will disappear from the streets of our cities in the next thirty years because transportation will be mass transportation, or probably electrical power.

The fate of the living planet is the most important issue facing mankind.

We must recognize that we're all part of a web of life around the world. Anytime you extinguish a species, the consequences are serious.

The most important environmental issue is one that is rarely mentioned, and that is the lack of a conservation ethic in our culture.

Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.