--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The moral imperative to make big changes…" description: "\"The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable...that what we take for granted may not be here for our children\" — Al Gore" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg" --- # The moral imperative to make big changes is… ![“The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable...that what we take for granted may not be here for our children” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg) > “The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable...that what we take for granted may not be here for our children” [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. The urgency of environmental action is driven by future generations’ needs. **In simple terms:** We must act now for our children’s future. Key Takeaway Prioritize sustainable policies today. Themes environment ethics future generations policy Mood urgent hopeful Type advocacy inspirational When to use this quote - legislation - education - community projects - corporate responsibility Key Concepts climate science intergenerational justice Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are needed for sustainability? - How can we motivate collective responsibility? A Different Perspective Economic costs may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big changes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-changes/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Changes Inescapable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changes-inescapable-2557047/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Granted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granted/) [Imperatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperatives/) [Inescapable Granted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inescapable-granted-2557048/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral Imperative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-imperative-444772/) [Our children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-children/) [Sustainable development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustainable-development/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [There are good people, who are in politics - in both parties - who hold this at arm's length, because if they acknowledge it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-good-people-who-are-in-politics-in-both-parties-who-hold/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The scientists are virtually screaming from the rooftops now. The debate is over! There's no longer any debate in the scientific community about this.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-scientists-are-virtually-screaming-from-the-rooftops-now-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [All the reasons which made the initiation of physical force evil, make the retaliatory use of physical force a moral imperative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/all-the-reasons-which-made-the-initiation-of-physical-force-evil-make/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Taking responsible steps to reduce poverty is not merely a moral imperative but an economic one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yarmuth/taking-responsible-steps-to-reduce-poverty-is-not-merely-a-moral/) [John Yarmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yarmuth/) > [We're all agreed that climate change is one of the greatest and most daunting challenges of our age. We have a moral imperative to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/we-re-all-agreed-that-climate-change-is-one-of-the-greatest-and-most/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [To me, hope is a moral imperative. I have hope and faith in forces unseen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/to-me-hope-is-a-moral-imperative-i-have-hope-and-faith-in-forces/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I think optimism is a moral imperative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-think-optimism-is-a-moral-imperative/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Laws that require equal protections reinforce the moral imperative of equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/laws-that-require-equal-protections-reinforce-the-moral-imperative-of/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Action isn't a burden to be hoisted up and lugged around on our shoulders. It is something we are. The work we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/action-isn-t-a-burden-to-be-hoisted-up-and-lugged-around-on-our/) [Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/) > [the solution to racism lies in our ability to see its ubiquity but not to concede its inevitability. It lies in the collective and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-j-williams/the-solution-to-racism-lies-in-our-ability-to-see-its-ubiquity-but/) [Patricia J. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-j-williams/) > [The Nuffield report suggests that there is a moral imperative for investment into GM crop research in developing countries. But the moral imperative is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tewolde-berhan-gebre-egziabher/the-nuffield-report-suggests-that-there-is-a-moral-imperative-for/) [Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tewolde-berhan-gebre-egziabher/) > [We've got the science, we've had the debate. The moral imperative is on the table. Great creativity is needed to take it all, make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-hobsbawm/we-ve-got-the-science-we-ve-had-the-debate-the-moral-imperative-is-on/) [Andy Hobsbawm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-hobsbawm/) > [Thinking carries a moral imperative. The searcher for truth must be ready to obey truth without reservation or it will elude him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/thinking-carries-a-moral-imperative-the-searcher-for-truth-must-be/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Essential to the attainment of these national goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity. The great biblical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/essential-to-the-attainment-of-these-national-goals-is-the-moral/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Whether you believe it a moral imperative or in the rich world's enlightened self-interest, securing the conditions that will lead to a healthy, prosperous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/whether-you-believe-it-a-moral-imperative-or-in-the-rich-world-s/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## 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 Big changes quotes > [As we get more transparent with data sets about infrastructure and systems management, I have a feeling we'll see big changes in how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-koblin/as-we-get-more-transparent-with-data-sets-about-infrastructure-and/) [Aaron Koblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-koblin/) > [I feel everything more deeply. Every action I take, I think of her first. That's a big change for me. That - and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-dewan/i-feel-everything-more-deeply-every-action-i-take-i-think-of-her/) [Jenna Dewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-dewan/) > [The Iraqi troops and the Iraqi fighters are in control of all the places, as we have witnessed, no big change in that. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-iraqi-troops-and-the-iraqi-fighters-are-in-control-of-all-the/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [Big changes like creating nutritious school food and adjusting the eating habits of children takes an organized effort from an entire community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-rosenthal/big-changes-like-creating-nutritious-school-food-and-adjusting-the/) [Joshua Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-rosenthal/) > [With 'Crucible,' any big changes I wanted to make I only had to run by Lucasfilm, not other authors whose stories I might affect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-denning/with-crucible-any-big-changes-i-wanted-to-make-i-only-had-to-run-by/) [Troy Denning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-denning/) > [“continues: For Kit, the Depression has brought big changes: a houseful of boarders, tons of chores, and no birthday party. But when Kit’s taste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-tripp/continues-for-kit-the-depression-has-brought-big-changes-a-houseful/) [Valerie Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-tripp/) > [It was definitely a big change in my life going from the college scene to really kind of being on my own. I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-horton/it-was-definitely-a-big-change-in-my-life-going-from-the-college/) [Jonathan Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-horton/) > [One of the big changes in the Congress since I first came to Washington is that all of these folks go home every weekend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-gates/one-of-the-big-changes-in-the-congress-since-i-first-came-to/) [Robert M. Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-gates/) > [I never really have any major resolutions. I do try to be a good person, to be a good mom, to be a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/i-never-really-have-any-major-resolutions-i-do-try-to-be-a-good/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [“Many of the big changes of the next 25 years will come from unknowns working in their bedrooms and garages...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-leadbeater/many-of-the-big-changes-of-the-next-25-years-will-come-from-unknowns/) [Charles Leadbeater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-leadbeater/) > [In terms of getting people to experiment more and take more risk, there are at least three things that immediately come to my mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-kotter/in-terms-of-getting-people-to-experiment-more-and-take-more-risk/) [John P. Kotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-kotter/) > [“Ask yourself: what was the most influential discovery, invention or creation of the twentieth century? That’s a difficult question, because it is hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/ask-yourself-what-was-the-most-influential-discovery-invention-or/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [There are moments in your life when the big pieces slide and shift. Sometimes the big changes dong happen gradually but all at once.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/there-are-moments-in-your-life-when-the-big-pieces-slide-and-shift/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [I was very, very thrown by the fact that I had to make some big changes in my life in order to be myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-was-very-very-thrown-by-the-fact-that-i-had-to-make-some-big/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [There are good people, who are in politics - in both parties - who hold this at arm's length, because if they acknowledge it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-good-people-who-are-in-politics-in-both-parties-who-hold/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) [Browse all 106 Big changes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-changes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable...that what we take for granted may not be here for our children", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Al Gore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes-is-inescapable-that-what-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Big changes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes-is-inescapable-that-what-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/al-gore-609_big-changes_the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes_2677991.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable...that what we take for granted may not be here for…” — 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": "The moral imperative to make big...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes-is-inescapable-that-what-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-moral-imperative-to-make-big-changes-is-inescapable-that-what-we/#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 } } ] } ```