--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pollution should never be the price of…" description: "\"Pollution should never be the price of prosperity.\" — Al Gore" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg" --- # Pollution should never be the price of prosperity. ![“Pollution should never be the price of prosperity.” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg) > “Pollution should never be the price of prosperity.” [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prosperity should not come at the expense of environmental health; economic growth must respect ecological limits. **In simple terms:** Growth must respect the planet. Key Takeaway Prioritize sustainable development. Themes environment economics ethics Mood concerned determined Type ethical policy When to use this quote - policy making - business strategy - urban planning - personal consumption Key Concepts sustainability externalities Questions to Reflect On - How can we measure true prosperity? - What policies incentivize green growth? A Different Perspective Balancing growth and ecology is politically and technically challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Climate change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate-change/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Pollution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pollution/) [Prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperity/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [If you sell me a car, we have perhaps made a good bargain for ourselves. But there are effects of this transaction on others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-sell-me-a-car-we-have-perhaps-made-a-good-bargain-for/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It's just economics 101: When it's free to pollute, you get more pollution. But when there's a price to pay, industry will have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-krupp/it-s-just-economics-101-when-it-s-free-to-pollute-you-get-more/) Fred Krupp > [Every day we put another 110 million tons of global warming pollution into the sky as if it's an open sewer, and it's still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/every-day-we-put-another-110-million-tons-of-global-warming-pollution/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [What we've often seen is that when we Americans say, look, we've got to reduce pollution, business - some businesses complain about it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/what-we-ve-often-seen-is-that-when-we-americans-say-look-we-ve-got-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The misconception that there is serious disagreement among scientists about global warming is actually an illusion that has been deliberately fostered by a relatively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-misconception-that-there-is-serious-disagreement-among-scientists/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Today we're dumping 70 million tons of global-warming pollution into the environment, and tomorrow we will dump more, and there is no effective worldwide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/today-we-re-dumping-70-million-tons-of-global-warming-pollution-into/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [If there is no cost to be paid for the indiscriminate dumping of pollution into the earth's atmosphere, then it should be a surprise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/if-there-is-no-cost-to-be-paid-for-the-indiscriminate-dumping-of/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [We're putting 70 million tonnes of pollution into the atmosphere every day, trapping an enormous amount of extra heat from the sun inside the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-re-putting-70-million-tonnes-of-pollution-into-the-atmosphere/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are many who still do not believe that global warming is a problem at all. And it's no wonder: because they are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-many-who-still-do-not-believe-that-global-warming-is-a/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [We're still putting 110 million tons of man-made global pollution into the air every single day as if the sky is an open sewer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-re-still-putting-110-million-tons-of-man-made-global-pollution/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The cumulative amount of man-made global pollution that's in the atmosphere now traps as much extra heat energy every day as would be released…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-cumulative-amount-of-man-made-global-pollution-that-s-in-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Carbon dioxide pollution is transforming the chemistry of the ocean, rapidly making the water more acidic. In decades, rising ocean acidity may challenge life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigourney-weaver/carbon-dioxide-pollution-is-transforming-the-chemistry-of-the-ocean/) [Sigourney Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigourney-weaver/) > [We could replace people with fossil fuels, have higher and higher levels of industrialization, of agriculture, of production, without thinking of the green-house gases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/we-could-replace-people-with-fossil-fuels-have-higher-and-higher/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [ \[The Clean Power Plan\] is an important step toward curbing carbon pollution and addressing climate change. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/the-clean-power-plan-is-an-important-step-toward-curbing-carbon/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [If there's one vital, but underappreciated, subject in the conversation about climate change, it's waste: how to define it, how to create less of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-schlossberg/if-there-s-one-vital-but-underappreciated-subject-in-the-conversation/) [Tatiana Schlossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-schlossberg/) ## More by Al Gore > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Mother Nature does not do bailouts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/mother-nature-does-not-do-bailouts/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-climate-crisis-is-not-a-political-issue-it-is-a-moral-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-decided-to-pick-the-diet-that-i-thought-would-maximize-my-chances/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [You know there's an old african proverb that i made up: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/you-know-there-s-an-old-african-proverb-that-i-made-up-if-you-want-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [One tragic example of the loss of forests and then water is found in Ethiopia. The amount of its forested land has decreased from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/one-tragic-example-of-the-loss-of-forests-and-then-water-is-found-in/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The ten hottest years in the atmospheric record, going back only 160 years, have been in the last eleven years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-ten-hottest-years-in-the-atmospheric-record-going-back-only-160/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [When you talk about President Trump, the cable networks turned over so many hours of prime time to him. Why? Because he was entertaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/when-you-talk-about-president-trump-the-cable-networks-turned-over-so/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are skeptics who do not come to their view because they have a source of income from carbon polluters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-skeptics-who-do-not-come-to-their-view-because-they-have-a/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Our civilization is experiencing unprecedented changes across many realms, largely due to the rapid advancement of information technology. The ability to code and understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/our-civilization-is-experiencing-unprecedented-changes-across-many/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are many who would much prefer that the word 'climate' never be mentioned and that the issue be eliminated from our national conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-many-who-would-much-prefer-that-the-word-climate-never-be/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [As many know, the Chinese expression for "crisis" consists of two characters side by side. The first is the symbol for "danger," the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/as-many-know-the-chinese-expression-for-crisis-consists-of-two/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I think George W. Bush has a warm, engaging personality. But, you know, the presidency is more than just a popularity contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-think-george-w-bush-has-a-warm-engaging-personality-but-you-know/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) [Explore all 447 Al Gore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## More Climate quotes > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/) [Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [There are many more traits that the climate deniers share with the creationists and Holocaust deniers and others who distort the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-r-prothero/there-are-many-more-traits-that-the-climate-deniers-share-with-the/) [Donald R. Prothero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-r-prothero/) > [Some would call me an environmentalist. I don't know why. I reuse the water that falls in my backyard in the winter. I reuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/some-would-call-me-an-environmentalist-i-don-t-know-why-i-reuse-the/) [Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/) [Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [We live in a state with a wonderful climate and plenty of natural beauty, from the shores of Cumberland Island to the Chattahoochee River…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-barnes/we-live-in-a-state-with-a-wonderful-climate-and-plenty-of-natural/) [Roy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-barnes/) > [Right now, the government is spending billions of dollars supporting the problem-makers in the U.S. economy - the polluters, despoilers, incarcerators, and warmongers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/right-now-the-government-is-spending-billions-of-dollars-supporting/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) [Browse all 8,549 Climate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Pollution should never be the price of prosperity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Al Gore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-prosperity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Climate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-prosperity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e99/al-gore-609_climate_pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-p_3226167.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Pollution should never be the price of prosperity.” — Al Gore", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Al Gore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Pollution should never be the price...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-prosperity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/pollution-should-never-be-the-price-of-prosperity/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```