--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We no longer see the world as a single…" description: "\"We no longer see the world as a single entity. We've moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life, that if the economy is strong ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/david-suzuki-1744_cities_we-no-longer-see-the-world-as-a-single-e_1891087.png" --- # We no longer see the world as a single entity. We've moved… ![“We no longer see the world as a single entity. We've moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life, that if the economy is strong we can afford garbage collection and sewage disposal and fresh food and water and electricity. We go through life thinking that money is the key to…” quote by David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/david-suzuki-1744_cities_we-no-longer-see-the-world-as-a-single-e_1891087.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/david-suzuki-1744_cities_we-no-longer-see-the-world-as-a-single-e_1891087.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/david-suzuki-1744_cities_we-no-longer-see-the-world-as-a-single-e_1891087.png) > “We no longer see the world as a single entity. We've moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life, that if the economy is strong we can afford garbage collection and sewage disposal and fresh food and water and electricity. We go through life thinking that money is the key to having whatever we want, without regard to what it does to the rest of the world.” [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that modern society treats the world as separate parts, focusing on economic growth and material comforts while ignoring ecological interdependence. **In simple terms:** We treat nature as separate, caring only about money and comforts. Key Takeaway Recognize and act on the planet’s interconnectedness. Themes environment economics interdependence materialism sustainability Mood concerned reflective urgent Type philosophical activist inspirational When to use this quote - urban planning - policy making - personal consumption - education curricula Key Concepts systems thinking ecological economics holistic view Questions to Reflect On - How does your daily spending affect global ecosystems? - What policies could balance economic growth with environmental health? A Different Perspective Economic focus can overlook urgent ecological crises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Collections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collections/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Economy Gives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy-gives-2733076/) [Electricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electricity/) [Entity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entity/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Fresh food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fresh-food/) [Garbage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garbage/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-economy-273642/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Moved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moved/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) [Regard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regard/) [Sewage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sewage/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Think Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-economy-341736/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-money-1398886/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [On their deathbed, do people think: 'I wish I'd spent more time with my Ferrari'? Or do they say: 'I wish I'd spent more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/on-their-deathbed-do-people-think-i-wish-i-d-spent-more-time-with-my/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [The focus of all life is its economy, the mode through which every living creature produces its material existence. I know no other criterion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses-hess/the-focus-of-all-life-is-its-economy-the-mode-through-which-every/) [Moses Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses-hess/) > [It's important for market participants to have a sense of how we think about the economy and the appropriate path of policy, to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/it-s-important-for-market-participants-to-have-a-sense-of-how-we/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [A natural way that an economist approaches a problem is to say, here's where I think the economy is going; this is what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-romer/a-natural-way-that-an-economist-approaches-a-problem-is-to-say-here-s/) [Christina Romer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-romer/) > [I think the U.S. economy wants to be strong. It wants to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-callahan-erdoes/i-think-the-u-s-economy-wants-to-be-strong-it-wants-to-be/) [Mary Callahan Erdoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-callahan-erdoes/) > [You can't just think about economy or health. There needs to be a balance between the two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uddhav-thackeray/you-can-t-just-think-about-economy-or-health-there-needs-to-be-a/) [Uddhav Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uddhav-thackeray/) > [I think that the economy, and the political system, has literally become such a disaster I don't know if it's possible to save it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-woods/i-think-that-the-economy-and-the-political-system-has-literally/) [James Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-woods/) > [I actually think that the economy has got some positives. It's got the market. It's got consumer confidence and it's got banks throwing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/i-actually-think-that-the-economy-has-got-some-positives-it-s-got-the/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [I think the economy in the US has surprised. The old adage is that if America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gilbert/i-think-the-economy-in-the-us-has-surprised-the-old-adage-is-that-if/) [Martin Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gilbert/) > [I think Donald Trump tapped into something where folks didn't think the economy and the political system was working for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bullock/i-think-donald-trump-tapped-into-something-where-folks-didn-t-think/) [Steve Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bullock/) > [I think the economy is the point of greatest uncertainty for most people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-iveson/i-think-the-economy-is-the-point-of-greatest-uncertainty-for-most/) [Don Iveson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-iveson/) > [Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or, eh, a writer without worrying about keeping their day job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/think-of-an-economy-where-people-could-be-an-artist-or-a-photographer/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [After several trillion dollars of stimulation by the Obama Administration and the Fed, one might think the economy would be chugging along at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beauprez/after-several-trillion-dollars-of-stimulation-by-the-obama/) [Bob Beauprez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beauprez/) > [People like the robber barons assumed that the doctrine of the survival of the fittest authenticated them as deserving power. You know, "I'm the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/people-like-the-robber-barons-assumed-that-the-doctrine-of-the/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [So, what people are actually left with to spend is maybe 25 to 30% of their income on goods and services, after paying taxes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/so-what-people-are-actually-left-with-to-spend-is-maybe-25-to-30-of/) [Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/) ## More by David Suzuki > [Because countries often have differing political and economic systems, agreements are needed to protect those invested in trade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/because-countries-often-have-differing-political-and-economic-systems/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Over and over, we hear politicians say they can't spend our tax dollars on environmental protection when the economy is so fragile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/over-and-over-we-hear-politicians-say-they-can-t-spend-our-tax/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Aboriginal people are key because they have a different sense of where we belong and how we interact with nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/aboriginal-people-are-key-because-they-have-a-different-sense-of/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [We are upsetting the atmosphere upon which all life depends. In the late 80s when I began to take climate change seriously, we referred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/we-are-upsetting-the-atmosphere-upon-which-all-life-depends-in-the/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Treaties, agreements and organizations to help settle disputes may be necessary, but they often favor the interests of business over citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/treaties-agreements-and-organizations-to-help-settle-disputes-may-be/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Each of us now has 2.27 kg (5 lbs) of plastic embedded in our bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/each-of-us-now-has-2-27-kg-5-lbs-of-plastic-embedded-in-our-bodies/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Nature surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways. Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/nature-surrounds-us-from-parks-and-backyards-to-streets-and-alleyways/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [The human brain had a vast memory storage. It made us curious and very creative. Those were the characteristics that gave us an advantage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/the-human-brain-had-a-vast-memory-storage-it-made-us-curious-and-very/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/if-we-pollute-the-air-water-and-soil-that-keep-us-alive-and-well-and/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [The one thing I feel is very hopeful, however, is the overwhelming participation of women in the movement for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/the-one-thing-i-feel-is-very-hopeful-however-is-the-overwhelming/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [“As we distance ourselves further from the natural world, we are increasingly surrounded by and dependent on our own inventions. We become enslaved by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/as-we-distance-ourselves-further-from-the-natural-world-we-are/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Every breath is a sacrament, an affirmation of our connection with all other living things, a renewal of our link with our ancestors and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/every-breath-is-a-sacrament-an-affirmation-of-our-connection-with-all/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [With an estimated population of nine billion people by 2050, we cannot continue to consume resources at the same rate and maintain our quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/with-an-estimated-population-of-nine-billion-people-by-2050-we-cannot/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Although it's the second largest country in the world, our useful area has been reduced. Our immigration policy is disgusting: We plunder southern countries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/although-it-s-the-second-largest-country-in-the-world-our-useful-area/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [Environmentalism has failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/environmentalism-has-failed/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) [Explore all 212 David Suzuki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) ## More Cities quotes > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [Surely, if Mother Nature had been consulted, she would never have consented to building a city in New Orleans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-zuckerman/surely-if-mother-nature-had-been-consulted-she-would-never-have/) [Mortimer Zuckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-zuckerman/) > [Cities are 2% of the earth's crust, but they are 50% of the world's population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlo-ratti/cities-are-2-of-the-earth-s-crust-but-they-are-50-of-the-world-s/) [Carlo Ratti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlo-ratti/) > [A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/a-man-could-be-a-lover-and-defender-of-the-wilderness-without-ever-in/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [All Germany was in turmoil. Revolutionaries seized power in the cities of Munich, Hanover and Cologne. One regional German government after another was toppled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cross-giblin/all-germany-was-in-turmoil-revolutionaries-seized-power-in-the-cities/) [James Cross Giblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cross-giblin/) > [Nice is a city of ghosts and specters, but I hope not to become one of them right away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-modiano/nice-is-a-city-of-ghosts-and-specters-but-i-hope-not-to-become-one-of/) [Patrick Modiano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-modiano/) > [I know of not one Republican candidate that would not appear publicly with Mitt Romney and I know many Democrats that don't even want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/i-know-of-not-one-republican-candidate-that-would-not-appear-publicly/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-will-neglect-our-cities-to-our-peril-for-in-neglecting-them-we/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [I didn't know the city at all, but I was so happy to be in New York I cried. I was so excited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-didn-t-know-the-city-at-all-but-i-was-so-happy-to-be-in-new-york-i/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [Outside of Paris, there is no hope for the cultured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/outside-of-paris-there-is-no-hope-for-the-cultured/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Dawn's faint breath breathes with your mouth at the ends of empty streets. Gray light your eyes, sweet drops of dawn on dark hills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/dawn-s-faint-breath-breathes-with-your-mouth-at-the-ends-of-empty/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/vienna-is-a-handsome-lively-city-and-pleases-me-exceedingly/) [Frederic Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/) > [“We have grace of strength to work, to clear our cities of any dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-have-grace-of-strength-to-work-to-clear-our-cities-of-any-dirt/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I was too tired to think. I merely felt the town as a unique unreality. What was it? I knew -- the moon's picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-too-tired-to-think-i-merely-felt-the-town-as-a-unique-unreality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 7,153 Cities quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We no longer see the world as a single entity. We've moved to cities and we think the economy is what gives us our life, that if the economy is strong we can afford garbage collection and sewage disposal and fresh food and water and electricity. 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