Average Quote by Bill McKibben
![“Fossil fuel is very seductive stuff. [John Maynard] Keynes once said that, as far as he could tell, the average standard of living from the beginning of human history to the middle of the eighteenth century had perhaps doubled. Not much had changed, and then we found coal and gas and oil and…” quote by Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b54/bill-mckibben-1057_average_fossil-fuel-is-very-seductive-stuff-john_2619536.jpg)
“Fossil fuel is very seductive stuff. [John Maynard] Keynes once said that, as far as he could tell, the average standard of living from the beginning of human history to the middle of the eighteenth century had perhaps doubled. Not much had changed, and then we found coal and gas and oil and everything changed. We're reaping the result of that, both ecologically and socially.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: TED Talk “The Climate Crisis and the Future of Energy”, 2015
Fossil fuels have historically driven rapid economic growth but now cause severe ecological and social harm.
In simple terms: Fossil fuels boost growth but harm planet and societies.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and transition away from fossil dependence.
Themes
environment
economics
energy
society
history
Mood
concerned
urgent
reflective
Type
warning
call to action
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- urban planning
- business strategy
- personal lifestyle choices
Key Concepts
externalities
industrial revolution
climate change
resource dependency
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance growth with sustainability?
- What policies best accelerate the energy transition?
A Different Perspective
Transition costs and political resistance can slow change.
