--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We, the older generations, simply cannot…" description: "\"We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for you, the younger generations, in which climate change impacts become ever more threatening t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg" --- # We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for… ![“We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for you, the younger generations, in which climate change impacts become ever more threatening to your survival. Still more public attention and action are needed. Solutions like renewable energy or energy efficiency need to fully power our…” quote by Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg) > “We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for you, the younger generations, in which climate change impacts become ever more threatening to your survival. Still more public attention and action are needed. Solutions like renewable energy or energy efficiency need to fully power our collective future!” [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Older generations must act now because climate threats will worsen for youth without immediate action. **In simple terms:** Act now to protect future generations from climate threats. Key Takeaway Prioritize climate action today. Themes climate change intergenerational responsibility environmental urgency Mood determined hopeful serious Type activist policy motivational When to use this quote - government policy - community projects - education programs - business investments Key Concepts sustainability policy renewable energy Questions to Reflect On - How can we fund renewable projects? - What policies best accelerate energy efficiency? A Different Perspective Economic constraints can hinder rapid transition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Climate change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate-change/) [Collectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectives/) [Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Energy efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy-efficiency/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Generations Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations-climate-1664688/) [Generations Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations-simply-3364366/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Older generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/older-generation/) [Older Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/older-generations-831162/) [Renewable energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renewable-energy/) [Solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solutions/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Threatening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threatening/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Younger generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/younger-generation/) [Younger Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/younger-generations-744799/) ## Related quotes > [Older generations are living proof that younger generations can survive their lunacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cullen-hightower/older-generations-are-living-proof-that-younger-generations-can/) [Cullen Hightower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cullen-hightower/) > [Jazz celebrates older generations and not just the youth movement. When you "sell" only to people of a certain age, you get cut off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/jazz-celebrates-older-generations-and-not-just-the-youth-movement-2/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [The older generations have eaten the future of the younger ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuliano-amato/the-older-generations-have-eaten-the-future-of-the-younger-ones/) [Giuliano Amato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuliano-amato/) > [Older generations can sometimes look down on today's hip hop but I refuse that mindset. I remember how hurt I was when older people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-parker/older-generations-can-sometimes-look-down-on-today-s-hip-hop-but-i/) [Erik Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-parker/) > [Young people live exactly today... and they live in the immediacy of their world. And it's important for us, people from older generations to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-mosley/young-people-live-exactly-today-and-they-live-in-the-immediacy-of/) [Walter Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-mosley/) > [As tough as things have been, I am convinced you are tougher. I've seen your passion and I've seen your service. I've seen you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-tough-as-things-have-been-i-am-convinced-you-are-tougher-i-ve-seen/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Anyone who is passionate about what they do will have a better chance of connecting with future generations than those who simply follow transient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-armani/anyone-who-is-passionate-about-what-they-do-will-have-a-better-chance/) [Giorgio Armani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-armani/) > [No challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-challenge-poses-a-greater-threat-to-future-generations-than/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ We're handing them \[young people & future generations\] a climate system which is potentially out of their control. We're in an emergency: you can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hansen/we-re-handing-them-young-people-future-generations-a-climate-system/) [James Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hansen/) > [It is critical that the world captures every last bit of energy efficiency, if we are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/it-is-critical-that-the-world-captures-every-last-bit-of-energy/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Millennials are worth less on paper than members of older generations are, and are worth less on paper than members of older generations were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-lowrey/millennials-are-worth-less-on-paper-than-members-of-older-generations/) [Annie Lowrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-lowrey/) > [Millennials are much more informed than they get credit for, and many are more politically knowledgeable than older generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/millennials-are-much-more-informed-than-they-get-credit-for-and-many/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [Jazz celebrates older generations and not just the youth movement. When you 'sell' only to people of a certain age, you get cut off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/jazz-celebrates-older-generations-and-not-just-the-youth-movement/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [“Even if we grant that digital natives think and learn somewhat differently than older generations, we may be doing them a disservice to de-emphasize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-vanslyke/even-if-we-grant-that-digital-natives-think-and-learn-somewhat/) [Timothy VanSlyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-vanslyke/) > [“Funerals consist of older generations initiating the younger into another adulthood. Filling spaces of the one passed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darnell-lamont-walker/funerals-consist-of-older-generations-initiating-the-younger-into/) [Darnell Lamont Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darnell-lamont-walker/) ## More by Christiana Figueres > [Connect with people, visibly and loudly showcase initiatives that reduce greenhouse gases emissions, nurture youth leaders, or spread the message by raising awareness through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/connect-with-people-visibly-and-loudly-showcase-initiatives-that/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [When you have a vision of where you need to go, it sounds utopian. But when you get to the tipping point, your understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/when-you-have-a-vision-of-where-you-need-to-go-it-sounds-utopian-but/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [We have already used more than half of that budget. This means that three quarters of the fossil fuel reserves need to stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-have-already-used-more-than-half-of-that-budget-this-means-that/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Carbon neutrality is going to be so standardized that you will look at anything that is not carbon neutral and go, "where the hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/carbon-neutrality-is-going-to-be-so-standardized-that-you-will-look/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [DEMAND, PURCHASE & USE LOW CARBON PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. MAKE LOW CARBON SEXY!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/demand-purchase-use-low-carbon-products-and-services-make-low-carbon/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Each building should produce as least as much energy as it's going to need, and have more to put on the grid. They should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/each-building-should-produce-as-least-as-much-energy-as-it-s-going-to/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [This is probably the most difficult task we have ever given ourselves, which is to intentionally transform the economic development model, for the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/this-is-probably-the-most-difficult-task-we-have-ever-given-ourselves/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Second, I believe in human ingenuity – that when we decide on a task to be done, no matter how daunting it may seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/second-i-believe-in-human-ingenuity-that-when-we-decide-on-a-task-to/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [The record-breaking extreme weather events causing chaos across the globe should be a wake-up call. The transition to a low-carbon economy will be much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/the-record-breaking-extreme-weather-events-causing-chaos-across-the/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [The fact that solar has gone down 80 percent since 2008 is astonishing. Wind is perhaps not coming down as quickly. Lack of storage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/the-fact-that-solar-has-gone-down-80-percent-since-2008-is/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [We shouldn't have stupid cars that use liquid fossil fuels. Come on, how outmoded is that? We have to get to the point where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-shouldn-t-have-stupid-cars-that-use-liquid-fossil-fuels-come-on/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [We're going to get to the point where we ask how the hell we put up with high carbon for so many years. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-re-going-to-get-to-the-point-where-we-ask-how-the-hell-we-put-up/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Quite frankly, there is no answer to climate change without substantially, dramatically, increasing the amount of renewable energy in the global energy system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/quite-frankly-there-is-no-answer-to-climate-change-without/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [Think global, act local.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/think-global-act-local/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) > [I still do not understand why we don't have people on the streets every single day raising their voices for climate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/i-still-do-not-understand-why-we-don-t-have-people-on-the-streets/) [Christiana Figueres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) [Explore all 27 Christiana Figueres quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for you, the younger generations, in which climate change impacts become ever more threatening to your survival. Still more public attention and action are needed. Solutions like renewable energy or energy efficiency need to fully power our collective future!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christiana Figueres" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-leave-a-world-for-you-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-leave-a-world-for-you-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/christiana-figueres-22696_action_we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-l_2024875.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We, the older generations, simply cannot leave a world for you, the younger generations, in which climate…” — Christiana Figueres", "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": "Christiana Figueres", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana-figueres/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We, the older generations, simply cannot...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-leave-a-world-for-you-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana-figueres/we-the-older-generations-simply-cannot-leave-a-world-for-you-the/#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 } } ] } ```