--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was truly an astonishing grassroots…" description: "\"It was truly an astonishing grassroots explosion, ... The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08b/gaylord-nelson-20262_astonishing_it-was-truly-an-astonishing-grassroots-e_2138703.png" --- # It was truly an astonishing grassroots explosion, ... The… ![“It was truly an astonishing grassroots explosion, ... The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy.” quote by Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08b/gaylord-nelson-20262_astonishing_it-was-truly-an-astonishing-grassroots-e_2138703.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08b/gaylord-nelson-20262_astonishing_it-was-truly-an-astonishing-grassroots-e_2138703.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08b/gaylord-nelson-20262_astonishing_it-was-truly-an-astonishing-grassroots-e_2138703.png) > “It was truly an astonishing grassroots explosion, ... The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy.” [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A massive grassroots movement can pressure political leaders to act on environmental concerns. **In simple terms:** Grassroots activism can force political change for the environment. Key Takeaway Mobilize community for environmental action. Themes environment activism political change grassroots Mood inspirational urgent Type activist motivational When to use this quote - policy reform - climate protests - community organizing Key Concepts collective action public demonstration Questions to Reflect On - What can you do locally to influence environmental policy? - How can movements maintain momentum? A Different Perspective Success depends on sustained public pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concern for the environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern-for-the-environment/) [Demonstration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demonstration/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Establishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishment/) [Explosions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explosions/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Grassroots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grassroots/) [Lethargy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lethargy/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) ## Related quotes > [“Less obviously, concern for the environment is a luxury good. Wealthy Americans are willing to spend more money to protect the environment as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wheelan/less-obviously-concern-for-the-environment-is-a-luxury-good-wealthy/) [Charles Wheelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wheelan/) > [Religious leaders could play a significant role in making explicit the connections between current concerns for the environment and age-old teachings about our dependence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-christie/religious-leaders-could-play-a-significant-role-in-making-explicit/) Ian Christie > [I'm particularly struck by the neo-socialist concern for the well-being of plants, animals, lakes and rivers, rain forests and deserts - particularly when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sirico/i-m-particularly-struck-by-the-neo-socialist-concern-for-the-well/) Robert Sirico > [“It is wrong to draw a sharp line in one's imagination between the "nature" present on the Rocky Mountain front and that available in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-steinberg/it-is-wrong-to-draw-a-sharp-line-in-one-s-imagination-between-the/) Ted Steinberg > [We should have no concern for the environment, because, after the great flood with Noah, God promised that He would never ruin the earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-inhofe/we-should-have-no-concern-for-the-environment-because-after-the-great/) [James Inhofe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-inhofe/) > [“The 80's in America were about building a better future here in America. We came into the generation dancing. We saw an explosion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mitchell/the-80-s-in-america-were-about-building-a-better-future-here-in/) [Phil Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mitchell/) > [A second key area where you are called to make a contribution is in showing concern for the environment. This is not only because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-second-key-area-where-you-are-called-to-make-a-contribution-is-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [There is, however, a moral basis for the vegetarian diet for which the indeterminate value of an animal's life takes on irrelevance. And that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-lyman/there-is-however-a-moral-basis-for-the-vegetarian-diet-for-which-the/) [Howard Lyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-lyman/) > [Nineteen sixty-eight was one exciting moment in a much larger movement. It spawned a whole range of movements. There wouldn't have been an international…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/nineteen-sixty-eight-was-one-exciting-moment-in-a-much-larger/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Public concern for the environment cannot be addressed by placing the blame on growth without spelling out the causes of growth. Nor can an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/public-concern-for-the-environment-cannot-be-addressed-by-placing-the/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [“Concern for the environment is a central tent of Islam, yet in contemporary debates over environmental issues there has been virtually no reference made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mawil-izzi-dien/concern-for-the-environment-is-a-central-tent-of-islam-yet-in/) Mawil Izzi Dien > [“Pretty quickly, I stopped seeing the company as an engine of community. Instead, I saw it as a mythmaker offering only an illusion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-simon/pretty-quickly-i-stopped-seeing-the-company-as-an-engine-of-community/) Bryant Simon > [If you do not have a loving concern for the environment... it will no longer sustain you - you will not be worthy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/if-you-do-not-have-a-loving-concern-for-the-environment-it-will-no/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [The problem with lethargy is that doing nothing validates the fear that nothing can be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-crawford/the-problem-with-lethargy-is-that-doing-nothing-validates-the-fear/) [Bill Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-crawford/) > [What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-country-can-preserve-its-liberties-if-its-rulers-are-not-warned/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Gaylord Nelson > [If we human beings learn to see the intricacies that bind one part of a natural system to another and then to us, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/if-we-human-beings-learn-to-see-the-intricacies-that-bind-one-part-of/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [There is no domestic issue more important to America in the long run than the conservation and proper use of our natural resources, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/there-is-no-domestic-issue-more-important-to-america-in-the-long-run/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [Loads of chemicals and hazardous wastes have been introduced into the atmosphere that didn't even exist in 1948. The environmental condition of the planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/loads-of-chemicals-and-hazardous-wastes-have-been-introduced-into-the/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [The most important environmental issue is one that is rarely mentioned, and that is the lack of a conservation ethic in our culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/the-most-important-environmental-issue-is-one-that-is-rarely/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [In the state of Wisconsin it's mandated that teachers in the social sciences and hard sciences have to start giving environmental education by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/in-the-state-of-wisconsin-it-s-mandated-that-teachers-in-the-social/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [...Your company...will send drugs to all the underdeveloped countries of the world, and since they do not have any standards, we will fool them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/your-company-will-send-drugs-to-all-the-underdeveloped-countries-of/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [As far as I know, most organizations are avoiding population issues because they're politically frightened by the charge that comes from some proponents of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/as-far-as-i-know-most-organizations-are-avoiding-population-issues/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [I think the internal combustion engine will disappear from the streets of our cities in the next thirty years because transportation will be mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/i-think-the-internal-combustion-engine-will-disappear-from-the/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [Trails are relatively inexpensive. A splendid national network of all kinds of trails can be established at less cost than a few hundred miles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/trails-are-relatively-inexpensive-a-splendid-national-network-of-all/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [Franklin Roosevelt was very concerned about environmental issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/franklin-roosevelt-was-very-concerned-about-environmental-issues/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/the-ultimate-test-of-a-man-s-conscience-may-be-his-willingness-to/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity... that's all there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/the-wealth-of-the-nation-is-its-air-water-soil-forests-minerals/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [We must realize that we're all part of a web of life around the world. Anytime you extinguish a species, the consequences are serious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/we-must-realize-that-we-re-all-part-of-a-web-of-life-around-the-world/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/i-m-for-the-environment-but-not-for-limiting-immigration/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [Reaching a general understanding that sustainability is the ultimate issue will finally bring us face-to-face with the political challenge of forging a sustainable society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/reaching-a-general-understanding-that-sustainability-is-the-ultimate/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) [Explore all 31 Gaylord Nelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) ## More Astonishing quotes > [It's astonishing what you learn and feel and see along the way. That's why a reporter's job, as you know, is such a joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-wallace/it-s-astonishing-what-you-learn-and-feel-and-see-along-the-way-that-s/) [Mike Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-wallace/) > [A man may perform astonishing feats and comprehend a vast amount of knowledge, and yet have no understanding of himself. But suffering directs a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/a-man-may-perform-astonishing-feats-and-comprehend-a-vast-amount-of/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [A first novel of astonishing force, craft and beauty, The Headmaster's Wager conjures up a dizzyingly evocative wartime Saigon in the story of Percival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-y-k-lee-2/a-first-novel-of-astonishing-force-craft-and-beauty-the-headmaster-s/) Janice Y. K. Lee > [“What is astonishing is that we, who had no idea how anything was going to turn out, now know exactly what happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/what-is-astonishing-is-that-we-who-had-no-idea-how-anything-was-going/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [It's a great historical joke that when the Spanish met the Aztecs, it was a blind date made in serve-you-right heaven. At the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-gill/it-s-a-great-historical-joke-that-when-the-spanish-met-the-aztecs-it/) [A. A. Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-gill/) > [It was astonishing when at one point, I got the idea of how to make artifical clouds with a collaborator, we had pictures made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benoit-mandelbrot/it-was-astonishing-when-at-one-point-i-got-the-idea-of-how-to-make/) [Benoit Mandelbrot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benoit-mandelbrot/) > [Although there may be nothing new under the sun, what is old is new to us and so rich and astonishing that we never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/although-there-may-be-nothing-new-under-the-sun-what-is-old-is-new-to/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [The astonishing thing for me is that I had a career before politics and I never thought about my colour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-gyimah/the-astonishing-thing-for-me-is-that-i-had-a-career-before-politics/) [Sam Gyimah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-gyimah/) > [“There is no denying it; one must admit that there is something astonishing about Christianity. 'It is because you were born in it,' they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/there-is-no-denying-it-one-must-admit-that-there-is-something/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [It's Twitter's combination of simplicity and complexity that is astonishing in the same way that minimalist sculpture was inspiring and enlightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-goldsmith/it-s-twitter-s-combination-of-simplicity-and-complexity-that-is/) [Kenneth Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-goldsmith/) > [All that we don't know is astonishing. Even more astonishing is what passes for knowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/all-that-we-don-t-know-is-astonishing-even-more-astonishing-is-what/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [Still more astonishing is that world of rigorous fantasy which we call mathematics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-bateson/still-more-astonishing-is-that-world-of-rigorous-fantasy-which-we/) [Gregory Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-bateson/) > [“No one ever said aloud any of the kinds of things he was so constantly thinking, because no one in the parish, not Alice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/no-one-ever-said-aloud-any-of-the-kinds-of-things-he-was-so/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [If you worry less about what people think of you, you can pick up an astonishing amount of information about them. You no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-druckerman/if-you-worry-less-about-what-people-think-of-you-you-can-pick-up-an/) [Pamela Druckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-druckerman/) > [The Bureau of Justice reports that one in three black male babies born this century will go to jail or prison - that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-stevenson/the-bureau-of-justice-reports-that-one-in-three-black-male-babies/) [Bryan Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-stevenson/) Browse all 410 Astonishing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was truly an astonishing grassroots explosion, ... 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