---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You cannot send battleships in to stop…"
description: "\"You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of a rainforest. But you can spend money on clean technology transfer that enables countries to ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg"
---

#  You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of…

![“You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of a rainforest. But you can spend money on clean technology transfer that enables countries to bring their people out of poverty without polluting their future.” quote by Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg)

> “You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of a rainforest. But you can spend money on clean technology transfer that enables countries to bring their people out of poverty without polluting their future.”

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Economic aid for clean technology can lift people out of poverty while preserving ecosystems, unlike futile attempts to halt environmental loss with force.

**In simple terms:** Invest in clean tech to end poverty and protect rainforests.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize sustainable development over destructive interventions.

Themes

environment economics justice

Mood

determined optimistic

Type

policy inspirational

When to use this quote

- policy planning
- international aid
- green entrepreneurship
- community training

Key Concepts

Technology transfer poverty alleviation ecosystem protection

Questions to Reflect On

- What incentives can drive clean tech adoption?
- How can communities be empowered to sustain these solutions?

A Different Perspective

Implementation may be hindered by political resistance and funding gaps.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [Developing countries have much to gain from capital mobility: the ability to tap external sources of finance, greater financial efficiency from deeper stock and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zanny-minton-beddoes/developing-countries-have-much-to-gain-from-capital-mobility-the/)

[Zanny Minton Beddoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zanny-minton-beddoes/)

> [I want China to stop appropriating our technology. China is, through forced technology transfer and through stealing our technology, but really forced technology transfer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/i-want-china-to-stop-appropriating-our-technology-china-is-through/)

[Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/)

> [With support from institutions like the United Nations as well as the donor community, governments can strengthen their national technological and scientific capacities by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talal-abu-ghazaleh/with-support-from-institutions-like-the-united-nations-as-well-as-the/)

[Talal Abu-Ghazaleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talal-abu-ghazaleh/)

> [If a factory closes down here and pops up in China where they don't have access to clean technology, clean energy, then the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-scheer/if-a-factory-closes-down-here-and-pops-up-in-china-where-they-don-t/)

[Andrew Scheer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-scheer/)

> [Look at countries like China, they are determined to dominate all clean technology areas, putting lots of money into wind, solar, electric vehicles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/look-at-countries-like-china-they-are-determined-to-dominate-all/)

[Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/)

> [For over 15 years, through the clean coal programs of the Department of Energy, the Federal Government has been a solid partner, working jointly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/for-over-15-years-through-the-clean-coal-programs-of-the-department/)

[Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/)

> [Technology is going to continue to evolve, and we should be at the forefront of it. We should continue to innovate. We should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-cortez-masto-2/technology-is-going-to-continue-to-evolve-and-we-should-be-at-the/)

[Catherine Cortez Masto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-cortez-masto-2/)

> [“It still feels weird to spend money on Christmas trees. Back when Mom was alive, we’d go out “tree hunting.” That’s what she called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/it-still-feels-weird-to-spend-money-on-christmas-trees-back-when-mom/)

[Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/)

> [Women spend the money of society on its goods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mollison/women-spend-the-money-of-society-on-its-goods/)

[Bill Mollison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mollison/)

> [Everybody loves to spend money at least some of the time - because everybody loves the stuff you can buy with it. The key…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/everybody-loves-to-spend-money-at-least-some-of-the-time-because/)

[Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/)

> [That's the biggest rule in Hollywood: Don't spend your own money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/that-s-the-biggest-rule-in-hollywood-don-t-spend-your-own-money/)

[Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/)

> [“Any writer or journalist who wants to retain his integrity finds himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/any-writer-or-journalist-who-wants-to-retain-his-integrity-finds/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [“Capitalist cycle of profit. The rancher sells a cow for profit. The butcher sells cuts for profit. The restaurant sells meals for profit. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/capitalist-cycle-of-profit-the-rancher-sells-a-cow-for-profit-the/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Stop spending money to be nominated for worthless awards with no substance and no worth to your career. If you have to spend money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-weisman/stop-spending-money-to-be-nominated-for-worthless-awards-with-no/)

[Loren Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-weisman/)

> [“Don't let someone spend money who never earned it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cole/don-t-let-someone-spend-money-who-never-earned-it/)

[Nick Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cole/)

## More by Barry Gardiner

> [It is hard to imagine a world without bees. It would be even harder to live in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/it-is-hard-to-imagine-a-world-without-bees-it-would-be-even-harder-to/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Climate change is a threat to the conditions in which our economy can function at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/climate-change-is-a-threat-to-the-conditions-in-which-our-economy-can/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [As we pump greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, making the seawater acidic and hostile for shellfish and corals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/as-we-pump-greenhouse-gases-into-our-atmosphere-the-ocean-absorbs/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Trade policy can be a tool for change and progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/trade-policy-can-be-a-tool-for-change-and-progress/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [The costs of solar energy across the world have come down so fast that its growth as a cheap, clean energy source has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/the-costs-of-solar-energy-across-the-world-have-come-down-so-fast/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Climate change is a shared crisis - one that transcends politics and borders and must be fought collectively, justly and transparently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/climate-change-is-a-shared-crisis-one-that-transcends-politics-and/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [The U.K. should see overseas aid as an investment in the future potential of a market and shouldn't be used as a stick to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/the-u-k-should-see-overseas-aid-as-an-investment-in-the-future/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Doing nothing to stop national parks being drilled for oil isn't what climate leadership looks like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/doing-nothing-to-stop-national-parks-being-drilled-for-oil-isn-t-what/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [We must commit to a positive programme of ocean recovery to combat the effects of climate breakdown, and boost our oceans' capacity to tackle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/we-must-commit-to-a-positive-programme-of-ocean-recovery-to-combat/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [The more we engage with others, the more we find people with whom we do not share the values and truths that we consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/the-more-we-engage-with-others-the-more-we-find-people-with-whom-we/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [We need robust sustainability regulations for shipping that are internationally recognised and respected. This will ensure shipping plays its part in the global transition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/we-need-robust-sustainability-regulations-for-shipping-that-are/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [After years of globalisation, disaffected populations have lost confidence that the system is fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/after-years-of-globalisation-disaffected-populations-have-lost/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Whilst the developed world may say it wants to see much greater commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this may only be politically feasible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/whilst-the-developed-world-may-say-it-wants-to-see-much-greater/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Like air pollution, flood risk is a threat that government should be protecting us against.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/like-air-pollution-flood-risk-is-a-threat-that-government-should-be/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

> [Our view has been that unless stringent environmental tests can be passed by would-be frackers, then no fracking should take place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/our-view-has-been-that-unless-stringent-environmental-tests-can-be/)

[Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

[Explore all 100 Barry Gardiner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/)

## 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": "You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of a rainforest. But you can spend money on clean technology transfer that enables countries to bring their people out of poverty without polluting their future.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Barry Gardiner"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-the-destruction-of-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Climate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-the-destruction-of-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/barry-gardiner-5933_destruction_you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-t_1326203.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“You cannot send battleships in to stop the destruction of a rainforest. But you can spend money on clean…” — Barry Gardiner",
                "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": "Barry Gardiner",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "You cannot send battleships in to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-the-destruction-of-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/you-cannot-send-battleships-in-to-stop-the-destruction-of-a/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
