---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a responsibility to look after…"
description: "\"We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.\" — Dalai Lama"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg"
---

#  We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is…

![“We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg)

> “We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.”

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

## 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 protect Earth because it is the only place we can live, and caring for it is a moral duty.

**In simple terms:** Protect Earth; it’s our only home.

Key Takeaway

Act to safeguard the environment.

Themes

environment responsibility ethics

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

ethical inspirational

When to use this quote

- community recycling
- policy making
- personal lifestyle changes
- education campaigns

Key Concepts

sustainability stewardship interdependence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you reduce your ecological footprint?
- What policies would most protect the planet?

A Different Perspective

Individual actions may seem insufficient without systemic change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Gardening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gardening/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Our planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-planet/) [Planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planet/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/)

## Related quotes

> [21st Century choice: Look after our planet and it will look after us, or don't and face the consequences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-harding/21st-century-choice-look-after-our-planet-and-it-will-look-after-us/)

[Phil Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-harding/)

> [We take immense care of our homes, maintain them, and try to make them more beautiful and comfortable for ourselves. Do we not consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asin/we-take-immense-care-of-our-homes-maintain-them-and-try-to-make-them/)

[Asin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asin/)

> [I now see that is a woman's God-given role to tend to the home and take care of the children: it's just that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-now-see-that-is-a-woman-s-god-given-role-to-tend-to-the-home-and/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say 'I want to see the manager.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/after-one-look-at-this-planet-any-visitor-from-outer-space-would-say/)

[William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/)

> [Absolutely the most fun thing to do in space and rewarding thing, in many ways, is to look back at planet Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/absolutely-the-most-fun-thing-to-do-in-space-and-rewarding-thing-in/)

[John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/)

> [You can stand back and look at this planet and see that we have the money, the power, the medical understanding, the scientific know-how,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/you-can-stand-back-and-look-at-this-planet-and-see-that-we-have-the/)

[Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/)

> [One day I'd like to go to the Moon and look at the planet Earth and say, 'Wow, there's part of my portfolio.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-orfalea/one-day-i-d-like-to-go-to-the-moon-and-look-at-the-planet-earth-and/)

[Paul Orfalea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-orfalea/)

> [See what the world looks like from orbit. Well, in that way, at least, there was profit to be had. Nobody could look down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-mcdevitt/see-what-the-world-looks-like-from-orbit-well-in-that-way-at-least/)

[Jack McDevitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-mcdevitt/)

> [Same sky we look up to, same planet were livin' too. I guess, it's not that far...me &amp; you...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/same-sky-we-look-up-to-same-planet-were-livin-too-i-guess-it-s-not/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We depend on this planet to eat, drink, breathe, and live. Figuring out how to keep our life support system running needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leonard/we-depend-on-this-planet-to-eat-drink-breathe-and-live-figuring-out/)

[Annie Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leonard/)

> [We do have responsibilities, as we live on this planet. It is our one and only home, which we are obligated to protect, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-bingbing/we-do-have-responsibilities-as-we-live-on-this-planet-it-is-our-one/)

[Li Bingbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-bingbing/)

> [Happy Earth Day! Remember the importance of taking care of our planet. It's the only home we have!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-earth-day-remember-the-importance-of-taking-care-of-our-planet/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [This planet is our home. If we destroy the planet, we've destroyed our home, so it is fundamentally important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-perot/this-planet-is-our-home-if-we-destroy-the-planet-we-ve-destroyed-our/)

[Ross Perot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-perot/)

> [We all live on the same planet, it is our only home, so... we used to rotate crops back in the day and, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-berryman/we-all-live-on-the-same-planet-it-is-our-only-home-so-we-used-to/)

[Michael Berryman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-berryman/)

> [Why do we so mindlessly abuse our planet, our only home? The answer to that lies in each of us. Therefore, we will strive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-anthony/why-do-we-so-mindlessly-abuse-our-planet-our-only-home-the-answer-to/)

[Lawrence Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-anthony/)

## More by Dalai Lama

> [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

[Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

## More Gardening quotes

> [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/)

[Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/)

> [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/)

[Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/)

> [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/)

[Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/)

> [My days – the blossom of my youth and the flower of my manhood – have been darkened by the dreariness of servitude. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-o-connell/my-days-the-blossom-of-my-youth-and-the-flower-of-my-manhood-have/)

[Daniel O'Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-o-connell/)

> [“In the same way that the picturesque designers were always careful to include some reminder of our mortality in their gardens -- a ruin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/in-the-same-way-that-the-picturesque-designers-were-always-careful-to/)

[Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/)

> [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/)

[Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/)

> [There was a product on late night TV that you could attach to your garden hose - "You can water your hard-to-reach plants with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/there-was-a-product-on-late-night-tv-that-you-could-attach-to-your/)

[Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/)

> [Plant flowers in others' gardens and your life becomes a bouquet! Submitted by Lisa Letto, Coordinator, Nutrition Resource and Volunteer Centre, College of Pharmacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/plant-flowers-in-others-gardens-and-your-life-becomes-a-bouquet/)

[Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/)

> [Love and work are to people what water and sunshine are to plants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/love-and-work-are-to-people-what-water-and-sunshine-are-to-plants/)

[Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/)

> [“A flower needs the rain to grow just as much as it needs the sunshine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-mummert/a-flower-needs-the-rain-to-grow-just-as-much-as-it-needs-the-sunshine/)

[Teresa Mummert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-mummert/)

> [“Mr. Grote shows me how he grows wild rice in the stream and collects the seeds. The rice is nutty and brown. He plants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baker-kline/mr-grote-shows-me-how-he-grows-wild-rice-in-the-stream-and-collects/)

[Christina Baker Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baker-kline/)

> [I must hurry back to my house and my flowers in Monaco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillie-langtry/i-must-hurry-back-to-my-house-and-my-flowers-in-monaco/)

[Lillie Langtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillie-langtry/)

> [“Look for light Listen for inspiration on the wind Let water cleanse your soul Set yourself on a firm foundation Serve as the plants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anasazi-foundation/look-for-light-listen-for-inspiration-on-the-wind-let-water-cleanse/)

Anasazi Foundation

[Browse all 5,790 Gardening quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gardening/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dalai Lama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-our-planet-it-is-our-only-home/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Gardening"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-our-planet-it-is-our-only-home/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcd/dalai-lama-89_gardening_we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-o_2966007.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We have a responsibility to look after our planet. It is our only home.” — Dalai Lama",
                "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": "Dalai Lama",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We have a responsibility to look...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-our-planet-it-is-our-only-home/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-have-a-responsibility-to-look-after-our-planet-it-is-our-only-home/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
