Animals Quote by George Monbiot
“The people of each generation perceive the state of the ecosystems they encountered in their childhood as normal and natural. When wildlife is depleted, we might notice the loss, but we are unaware that the baseline by which we judge the decline is in fact a state of extreme depletion.”
About This Quote
Source Article: “The New Normal” by George Monbiot, The Guardian, 2020
People judge environmental change against the degraded conditions they grew up with, mistaking loss for normality.
In simple terms: We think the current state is natural because it’s all we know.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historic baselines to protect true ecosystems.
Themes
environment
perception
baseline
conservation
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
educational
call‑to‑action
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education curricula
- community conservation projects
- media reporting
Key Concepts
ecology
shifting baselines
environmental psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How would your actions change if you knew the original ecosystem state?
- What strategies can reveal hidden loss to the public?
A Different Perspective
If people are unaware of past abundance, they may undervalue restoration efforts.
