--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For decades, we've been told that it…" description: "\"For decades, we've been told that it doesn't make economic sense to switch to renewable energy. Today, that's no longer true.\" — Barack Obama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/barack-obama-17_climate_for-decades-we-ve-been-told-that-it-does_150409.jpg" --- # For decades, we've been told that it doesn't make economic… ![“For decades, we've been told that it doesn't make economic sense to switch to renewable energy. Today, that's no longer true.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/barack-obama-17_climate_for-decades-we-ve-been-told-that-it-does_150409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/barack-obama-17_climate_for-decades-we-ve-been-told-that-it-does_150409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/451/barack-obama-17_climate_for-decades-we-ve-been-told-that-it-does_150409.jpg) > “For decades, we've been told that it doesn't make economic sense to switch to renewable energy. Today, that's no longer true.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Renewable energy once seemed economically unviable, but now it is feasible. **In simple terms:** Renewables are now economically viable. Key Takeaway Invest in renewable solutions now. Themes energy economics innovation Mood optimistic pragmatic Type policy inspirational When to use this quote - policy reform - investment strategies - grid integration - public education Key Concepts climate policy technology market dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What incentives accelerate renewable adoption? - How can we address lingering economic barriers? A Different Perspective Transition costs remain high for some regions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Renewable energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renewable-energy/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [Might it be that the Transition approach, of creating vibrant local economies with increased community ownership, meeting practical needs from as nearby as possible,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-hopkins/might-it-be-that-the-transition-approach-of-creating-vibrant-local/) [Rob Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-hopkins/) > [The biggest untapped source of energy today is our youth. I am from an age of consumerism, but my two daughters are young enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-horn/the-biggest-untapped-source-of-energy-today-is-our-youth-i-am-from-an/) [Mike Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-horn/) > [The energy today is about furthering your love life & giving into temptation. Regardless of your status, this is certainly advantageous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-energy-today-is-about-furthering-your-love-life-giving-into/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It means joining with allies to deploy renewable energy technologies -- both at home and around the world -- to confront the very real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/it-means-joining-with-allies-to-deploy-renewable-energy-technologies/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Renewable energy is far more labor-intensive than fossil fuel production.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/renewable-energy-is-far-more-labor-intensive-than-fossil-fuel/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [Support renewable energy. Recycle. Reuse. Restore. Replenish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-black/support-renewable-energy-recycle-reuse-restore-replenish/) [Claudia Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-black/) > [While the agreement signed in Paris between 195 nations to combat climate change was historic and significant, it's still vague and lacks the ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-quigley/while-the-agreement-signed-in-paris-between-195-nations-to-combat/) John B. Quigley > [We have to move toward renewable energy in a big way here in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-haaland/we-have-to-move-toward-renewable-energy-in-a-big-way-here-in-america/) [Deb Haaland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-haaland/) > [There's a lot of wishful thinking that somehow we'll replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, but they remain far from reality. We're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/there-s-a-lot-of-wishful-thinking-that-somehow-we-ll-replace-fossil/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [I am not going to give up on renewable energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/i-am-not-going-to-give-up-on-renewable-energy/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [There is no question we need an energy policy overhaul in America. A key part of that overhaul must include moving forward aggressively with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-paulsen/there-is-no-question-we-need-an-energy-policy-overhaul-in-america-a/) [Erik Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-paulsen/) > [I spent more than 20 years of my professional career researching and developing renewable energy sources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-mcnerney/i-spent-more-than-20-years-of-my-professional-career-researching-and/) [Jerry McNerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-mcnerney/) > [Green is not just about renewable energy. It's also about creating a new direction for the whole economy. This requires government to step up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-mazzucato/green-is-not-just-about-renewable-energy-it-s-also-about-creating-a/) [Mariana Mazzucato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-mazzucato/) > [Renewable energy is proven technology, the price is dropping, the rest of the world is going that way, that's where our investment should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-brown/renewable-energy-is-proven-technology-the-price-is-dropping-the-rest/) [Bob Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-brown/) > [Renewable energy could reduce emissions but also create jobs and improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/renewable-energy-could-reduce-emissions-but-also-create-jobs-and/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. 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Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## 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. 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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. 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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. 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