--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ecosystems are holy. The word…" description: "\"Ecosystems are holy. The word \"environmental\" is a deadly compromise itself. It's a policy word that lives only in the head, and barely there.\" — David..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/103/david-james-duncan-8032_climate_ecosystems-are-holy-the-word-environment_1638710.png" --- # Ecosystems are holy. The word "environmental" is a deadly… ![“Ecosystems are holy. The word "environmental" is a deadly compromise itself. It's a policy word that lives only in the head, and barely there.” quote by David James Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/103/david-james-duncan-8032_climate_ecosystems-are-holy-the-word-environment_1638710.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/103/david-james-duncan-8032_climate_ecosystems-are-holy-the-word-environment_1638710.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/103/david-james-duncan-8032_climate_ecosystems-are-holy-the-word-environment_1638710.png) > “Ecosystems are holy. The word "environmental" is a deadly compromise itself. It's a policy word that lives only in the head, and barely there.” [David James Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-james-duncan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that labeling ecosystems as 'holy' and using 'environmental' is a superficial compromise that fails to capture true ecological value. **In simple terms:** Words like 'environmental' are inadequate. Key Takeaway Seek deeper ecological understanding beyond slogans. Themes environment language policy ecology values Mood critical thought‑provoking Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - policy debates - environmental education - activism - corporate reporting Key Concepts semantic framing political compromise ethical perception Questions to Reflect On - What language truly captures ecological interdependence? - How can policy reflect genuine ecological respect? A Different Perspective Slogans can oversimplify complex issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Ecosystems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecosystems/) [Ecosystems Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecosystems-holy-547144/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Environmental Deadly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental-deadly-547146/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Word Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-environmental-547145/) ## Related quotes > [I think that the environmental movement is wisely moving away from a largely emotion-based argument for the spiritual or intrinsic value of Nature with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-think-that-the-environmental-movement-is-wisely-moving-away-from-a/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [The "developed" nations had given to the "free market" the status of a god, and were sacrificing to it their farmers, farmlands, and communities,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-developed-nations-had-given-to-the-free-market-the-status-of-a/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [We discover too late that we have turned a blind eye to the extinction of a species that is essential to the balance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/we-discover-too-late-that-we-have-turned-a-blind-eye-to-the/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [The Captains of Industry have always counseled the rest of us "to be realistic." 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