Climate Quote by James R. Schlesinger
![“We are not good at recognizing distant threats even if their probability is 100%. Society ignoring [peak oil] is like the people of Pompeii ignoring the rumblings below Vesuvius.” quote by James R. Schlesinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db5/james-r-schlesinger-55141_ifs_we-are-not-good-at-recognizing-distant-t_2950109.jpg)
“We are not good at recognizing distant threats even if their probability is 100%. Society ignoring [peak oil] is like the people of Pompeii ignoring the rumblings below Vesuvius.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Energy Policy Address, 1979
Society fails to recognize imminent, certain threats, likened to Pompeii’s denial of volcanic danger.
In simple terms: People ignore obvious dangers.
Key Takeaway
Take warning signs seriously.
Themes
risk perception
environment
policy
Mood
urgent
cautionary
Type
warning
analytical
When to use this quote
- energy planning
- public safety
- urban development
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
systemic denial
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies improve threat detection?
- What mechanisms prevent denial of obvious risks?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind decision‑makers to low‑probability risks.
![“So far in facing this huge [peak oil] challenge, our political/economic system seems unable to cope with reality. We are forced to carry on living in an illusion that we have so much time to adapt to post-oil that we don't even need to be talking or thinking much about what a world without…” quote by Madeleine Bunting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94f/madeleine-bunting-68050_challenges_so-far-in-facing-this-huge-peak-oil-chal_1251060.jpg)
