--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are grossly wasting our energy…" description: "\"We are grossly wasting our energy resources and other precious raw materials as though their supply were infinite. We must even face the prospect of ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03e/jimmy-carter-479_animal_we-are-grossly-wasting-our-energy-resour_3116909.jpg" --- # We are grossly wasting our energy resources and other… ![“We are grossly wasting our energy resources and other precious raw materials as though their supply were infinite. We must even face the prospect of changing our basic ways of living. This change will either be made on our own initiative in a planned and rational way, or forced on us with chaos…” quote by Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03e/jimmy-carter-479_animal_we-are-grossly-wasting-our-energy-resour_3116909.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03e/jimmy-carter-479_animal_we-are-grossly-wasting-our-energy-resour_3116909.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03e/jimmy-carter-479_animal_we-are-grossly-wasting-our-energy-resour_3116909.jpg) > “We are grossly wasting our energy resources and other precious raw materials as though their supply were infinite. We must even face the prospect of changing our basic ways of living. This change will either be made on our own initiative in a planned and rational way, or forced on us with chaos and suffering by the inexorable laws of nature.” [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human activity wastes resources unsustainably; we must choose planned change or face chaotic forced change. **In simple terms:** We waste resources; need planned change or suffer. Key Takeaway Choose sustainable, planned change. Themes environment sustainability change Mood concerned hopeful Type advocacy reflective When to use this quote - policy making - corporate strategy - personal lifestyle Key Concepts resource management systems thinking Questions to Reflect On - What sustainable habits can you adopt now? - How can societies incentivize planned environmental change? A Different Perspective Planned change can be politically difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Chaos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Inexorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inexorable/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-of-nature/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [There's no use wasting are energy being afraid of the devils, demons and things that go bump in the night... Because ultimately we'll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/there-s-no-use-wasting-are-energy-being-afraid-of-the-devils-demons/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [If I was to get nervous, then I'm wasting my energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-carter/if-i-was-to-get-nervous-then-i-m-wasting-my-energy/) [Michelle Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-carter/) > [“Wasting energy to obtain rare objects only impedes one's growth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu-2/wasting-energy-to-obtain-rare-objects-only-impedes-one-s-growth/) [Lao-Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu-2/) > [The essential quality of life is living' the essential quality of living is change; change is evolution; and we are part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/the-essential-quality-of-life-is-living-the-essential-quality-of-2/) [John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/) > [When you tire of living, change itself seems evil, does it not? for then any change at all disturbs the deathlike peace of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-m-miller-jr-2/when-you-tire-of-living-change-itself-seems-evil-does-it-not-for-then/) [Walter M. Miller, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-m-miller-jr-2/) > [“The essential quality of life is living; the essential quality of living is change; change is evolution: and we are part of it. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/the-essential-quality-of-life-is-living-the-essential-quality-of/) [John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/) > [“It's utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/it-s-utterly-impossible-for-me-to-build-my-life-on-a-foundation-of/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [Two things are inevitable in life and that is chaos and suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/two-things-are-inevitable-in-life-and-that-is-chaos-and-suffering/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [“I think man will never renounce real suffering, that is destruction and chaos. Why, suffering is the sole origin of consciousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/i-think-man-will-never-renounce-real-suffering-that-is-destruction/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [Why is Form beautiful? Because, I think, it helps us confront our worst fear: the suspicion that life may be chaos and that therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-adams/why-is-form-beautiful-because-i-think-it-helps-us-confront-our-worst/) [Robert Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-adams/) > [“It’s good for you to think of this, son. Ponder. Worry. Stay up nights, frightened for the casualties of your ideology. It will do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/it-s-good-for-you-to-think-of-this-son-ponder-worry-stay-up-nights/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [And yet I am convinced that man will never give up true suffering- that is, destruction and chaos. Why, suffering is the sole root…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/and-yet-i-am-convinced-that-man-will-never-give-up-true-suffering/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Stop wasting energy trying to change the minds of people who have closed their minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-jay-taylor/stop-wasting-energy-trying-to-change-the-minds-of-people-who-have/) [T Jay Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-jay-taylor/) > [The first thing we can do as individuals and as communities, like a school or a university or a church, is cut our energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hayhoe/the-first-thing-we-can-do-as-individuals-and-as-communities-like-a/) [Katharine Hayhoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hayhoe/) > [“Stop wasting your energy, time and resources. If you’re doing something, make it matter. What’s the point in slogging all day and yet remaining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishal-ostwal/stop-wasting-your-energy-time-and-resources-if-you-re-doing-something/) [Vishal Ostwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishal-ostwal/) ## More by Jimmy Carter > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I think politicians really go with the tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-politicians-really-go-with-the-tide/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself, and where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/penalties-against-possession-of-a-drug-should-not-be-more-damaging-to/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/no-poor-rural-weak-or-black-person-should-ever-again-have-to-bear-the/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Our individual fates are linked our futures intertwined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/our-individual-fates-are-linked-our-futures-intertwined/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I think the most challenging thing for me in my life and in the Bible is that we worship Jesus as the Prince of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-the-most-challenging-thing-for-me-in-my-life-and-in-the-bible/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Faith implies a continuing search, not necessarily a final answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/faith-implies-a-continuing-search-not-necessarily-a-final-answer/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I don't want to tell President Obama how to make a speech. He's a much better speech maker than I am. But I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-don-t-want-to-tell-president-obama-how-to-make-a-speech-he-s-a-much/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [We must make it clear that a platform of 'I hate gay men and women' is not a way to become president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-must-make-it-clear-that-a-platform-of-i-hate-gay-men-and-women-is/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I have a very real political awareness that at least on a transient basis the more drastic action taken by the president, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-have-a-very-real-political-awareness-that-at-least-on-a-transient/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/everyone-has-a-right-to-peaceful-coexistence-the-basic-personal/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/energy-will-be-the-immediate-test-of-our-ability-to-unite-this-nation/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) [Explore all 532 Jimmy Carter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. 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It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are grossly wasting our energy resources and other precious raw materials as though their supply were infinite. We must even face the prospect of changing our basic ways of living. 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