--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a planetary emergency. We have to…" description: "\"We have a planetary emergency. We have to find a way to create, in the generation of those alive today, a sense of generational mission.\" — Al Gore" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/al-gore-609_activism_we-have-a-planetary-emergency-we-have-to_478604.jpg" --- # We have a planetary emergency. We have to find a way to… ![“We have a planetary emergency. We have to find a way to create, in the generation of those alive today, a sense of generational mission.” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/al-gore-609_activism_we-have-a-planetary-emergency-we-have-to_478604.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/al-gore-609_activism_we-have-a-planetary-emergency-we-have-to_478604.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/al-gore-609_activism_we-have-a-planetary-emergency-we-have-to_478604.jpg) > “We have a planetary emergency. We have to find a way to create, in the generation of those alive today, a sense of generational mission.” [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. We must inspire today's generation to feel responsible for the planet's future and act accordingly. **In simple terms:** Create a sense of mission for the planet. Key Takeaway Act now for future generations. Themes environment responsibility mission generational leadership Mood concerned determined hopeful Type motivational call to action When to use this quote - policy making - community organizing - education curricula - corporate sustainability Key Concepts climate urgency collective action intergenerational equity Questions to Reflect On - How can we make climate action personal? - What motivates people to adopt long‑term missions? A Different Perspective People may feel powerless or resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activism/) [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Generational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generational/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Live for today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-for-today/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [The planetary emergency unfolding around us is, first and foremost...a crisis of thought, values, perceptions, ideas and judgments. In other words, it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-orr/the-planetary-emergency-unfolding-around-us-is-first-and-foremost-a/) [David W. Orr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-orr/) > [We the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency-a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential...the earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-the-human-species-are-confronting-a-planetary-emergency-a-threat/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Our world faces a true planetary emergency. I know the phrase sounds shrill, and I know it's a challenge to the moral imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/our-world-faces-a-true-planetary-emergency-i-know-the-phrase-sounds/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [For reasons we don't have to get into, climate change has become an incredibly polarized issue in the United States. I think that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-herskovitz/for-reasons-we-don-t-have-to-get-into-climate-change-has-become-an/) [Marshall Herskovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-herskovitz/) > [It is a form of generational narcissism to change texts to suit one's own needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-timothy-johnson/it-is-a-form-of-generational-narcissism-to-change-texts-to-suit-one-s/) [Luke Timothy Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-timothy-johnson/) > [I think it's really important to have inter-generational relationships right; some level of communication between us silver-backed gorillas, who have been looking at and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-leonard/i-think-it-s-really-important-to-have-inter-generational/) [Brett Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-leonard/) > [The subtle generational cues that make one thing cool and another uncool aren't always obvious to a parent. My children are my dinner-table sounding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-bushnell/the-subtle-generational-cues-that-make-one-thing-cool-and-another/) [Nolan Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-bushnell/) > [It's a very generational thing: I am not interested in labels. I am who I am. I will love who I love, and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-paige/it-s-a-very-generational-thing-i-am-not-interested-in-labels-i-am-who/) [Peter Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-paige/) > [I strongly believe that at this point in America's history, we need a president that will not just continue, even with a new face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/i-strongly-believe-that-at-this-point-in-america-s-history-we-need-a/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [“Some problems were generational; you just had to wait for the relevant elders to die off and be replaced with more progressive types.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-m-banks/some-problems-were-generational-you-just-had-to-wait-for-the-relevant/) [Iain M. Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-m-banks/) > [We live in an age of generational turmoil. Baby-boom parents are accused of clinging on to jobs and houses which they should be freeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-ridley/we-live-in-an-age-of-generational-turmoil-baby-boom-parents-are/) [Jane Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-ridley/) > [I want to have generational money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/offset/i-want-to-have-generational-money/) Offset > [“A personal journey is part of the generational relay. Live your legacy then pass it on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-ann-v-glim/a-personal-journey-is-part-of-the-generational-relay-live-your-legacy/) Jo Ann V. Glim > [There's always some generational-guys-hanging-out movie that is made every few years, I think, and some of them are great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-baumbach/there-s-always-some-generational-guys-hanging-out-movie-that-is-made/) [Noah Baumbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-baumbach/) > [My fan base is really expanding into an inter-generational thing - it's what every artist probably hopes for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-hall/my-fan-base-is-really-expanding-into-an-inter-generational-thing-it-s/) [Daryl Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-hall/) ## 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 Activism quotes > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“All struggles against oppression in the modern woeld begin by redefining what had previously been consideered private, non-public and non-political issues as matters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seyla-benhabib/all-struggles-against-oppression-in-the-modern-woeld-begin-by/) Seyla Benhabib > [Joy doesn't betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/joy-doesn-t-betray-but-sustains-activism-and-when-you-face-a-politics/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Paul Revere earned his living as a silversmith. But what do we remember him for? His volunteer work. All activism is volunteering in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-j-ellis/paul-revere-earned-his-living-as-a-silversmith-but-what-do-we/) Susan J. Ellis > [Being in service and being involved in something that is greater than you is what makes a person complete and whole. The very first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-moreno/being-in-service-and-being-involved-in-something-that-is-greater-than/) [Rita Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-moreno/) > [“The times do not call for grassroots political activism, as if the next election might be enough to reverse a massive cultural earthquake. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-d-miller/the-times-do-not-call-for-grassroots-political-activism-as-if-the/) Paul D. Miller > [He went to Paris looking for answers to questions that bothered him so. He was impressive, young and aggressive, saving the world on his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/he-went-to-paris-looking-for-answers-to-questions-that-bothered-him/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [Poetry is a lousy form of activism; it doesn't really change much. And maybe we can point to one or two historical times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-gottlieb/poetry-is-a-lousy-form-of-activism-it-doesn-t-really-change-much-and/) [Daphne Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-gottlieb/) > [There's a lot of activism that doesn't deal with empowerment, and you have to empower yourself in order to be relevant to any type…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/there-s-a-lot-of-activism-that-doesn-t-deal-with-empowerment-and-you/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [“Until you find a cause you can die for, you are not worthy to live.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/until-you-find-a-cause-you-can-die-for-you-are-not-worthy-to-live/) [Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/) > [Ya'll know what you need to do? Get together, make a We Are The World record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-jackson/ya-ll-know-what-you-need-to-do-get-together-make-a-we-are-the-world/) [Curtis Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-jackson/) > [“There is no way to tell if we are the pioneers of a visionary new age, whisking humanity into the high vibrations of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-talat-phillips/there-is-no-way-to-tell-if-we-are-the-pioneers-of-a-visionary-new-age/) [Jonathan Talat Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-talat-phillips/) > [Terence McKenna says, "The culture is not your friend." I am not sure we can change this culture. But I think we can rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-ensler/terence-mckenna-says-the-culture-is-not-your-friend-i-am-not-sure-we/) [Eve Ensler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-ensler/) > [“A spirituality that is only private and self-absorbed, one devoid of an authentic political and social consciousness, does little to halt the suicidal juggernaut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-harvey/a-spirituality-that-is-only-private-and-self-absorbed-one-devoid-of/) [Andrew Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-harvey/) [Browse all 820 Activism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have a planetary emergency. 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