--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The worst thing we can do as a nation is…" description: "\"The worst thing we can do as a nation is taking the easy way out. If you start opening up offshore drilling, then you are buying time and you are not a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/joe-biden-454_buying_the-worst-thing-we-can-do-as-a-nation-is_1225457.jpg" --- # The worst thing we can do as a nation is taking the easy… ![“The worst thing we can do as a nation is taking the easy way out. If you start opening up offshore drilling, then you are buying time and you are not addressing the fundamental problem with fossil fuels.” quote by Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/joe-biden-454_buying_the-worst-thing-we-can-do-as-a-nation-is_1225457.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/joe-biden-454_buying_the-worst-thing-we-can-do-as-a-nation-is_1225457.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/joe-biden-454_buying_the-worst-thing-we-can-do-as-a-nation-is_1225457.jpg) > “The worst thing we can do as a nation is taking the easy way out. If you start opening up offshore drilling, then you are buying time and you are not addressing the fundamental problem with fossil fuels.” [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing short‑term fixes like offshore drilling delays addressing the deeper issue of reliance on fossil fuels. **In simple terms:** Easy solutions postpone real climate action. Key Takeaway Prioritize sustainable, long‑term energy strategies. Themes environment policy energy Mood urgent concerned Type policy activist When to use this quote - government decisions - energy planning - public debate - climate activism Key Concepts sustainability political economy Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives can replace fossil fuels now? - How to overcome political inertia on climate? A Different Perspective Economic interests may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Drilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drilling/) [Drilling Buying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drilling-buying-3768501/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Easy way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy-way/) [Fossil fuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fossil-fuel/) [Fossil fuels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fossil-fuels/) [Fossils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fossils/) [Fuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fuel/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Offshore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offshore/) [Offshore Drilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offshore-drilling-955186/) [Opening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening/) [Opening Offshore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening-offshore-3768500/) [Opening up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening-up/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) [Worst thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-thing/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/) ## Related quotes > [Offshore drilling is not the answer, it is not going to get us anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/offshore-drilling-is-not-the-answer-it-is-not-going-to-get-us-anything/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [It is time to get rid of the harmful and dangerous practice of offshore drilling once and for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-drew/it-is-time-to-get-rid-of-the-harmful-and-dangerous-practice-of/) [Jeff Van Drew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-drew/) > [Offshore drilling is not the solution to U.S. energy independence, and I am against opening parts of the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-haaland/offshore-drilling-is-not-the-solution-to-u-s-energy-independence-and/) [Deb Haaland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-haaland/) > [The drilling idea is spherically senseless - it's senseless from whatever point of view you look at it. It'd take 10 years to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/the-drilling-idea-is-spherically-senseless-it-s-senseless-from/) [Paul R. 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I don't think so. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/the-fact-that-this-is-what-john-mccain-is-suggesting-more-offshore/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [Barack Obama now says he is open to offshore oil drilling. So, apparently, when he promised change, he was talking about his mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/barack-obama-now-says-he-is-open-to-offshore-oil-drilling-so/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling is bad public policy that has no place in the budget process,. The Budget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-feingold/opening-up-the-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-to-oil-drilling-is-bad/) [Russ Feingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-feingold/) > [I strongly support the construction of the Keystone Pipeline and favor expanding offshore drilling to make our nation less dependent on foreign oil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-tillis/i-strongly-support-the-construction-of-the-keystone-pipeline-and/) [Thom Tillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-tillis/) > [Lindsey Graham has wavered on this, but I won't: We need to ban offshore drilling. A spill off our beaches would destroy jobs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-harrison/lindsey-graham-has-wavered-on-this-but-i-won-t-we-need-to-ban/) [Jaime Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-harrison/) > [I am committed to working with industry leaders, environmental advocates, and the people of Louisiana on a robust plan that provides much needed protection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bel-edwards/i-am-committed-to-working-with-industry-leaders-environmental/) [John Bel Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bel-edwards/) > [The executive orders. Barack Obama is doing it again with this ban that he thinks is in perpetuity on offshore drilling in the Atlantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-executive-orders-barack-obama-is-doing-it-again-with-this-ban/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [There's just a law to the universe. We can have the San Andreas rip tonight. You've nothing to do with that. We could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-drudge/there-s-just-a-law-to-the-universe-we-can-have-the-san-andreas-rip/) [Matt Drudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-drudge/) ## More by Joe Biden > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I always kid the president in different circumstances. Mr. President, a country's never going to be more optimistic than the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-always-kid-the-president-in-different-circumstances-mr-president-a/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [Anybody who pretends that how you read the 10th and 11th Amendment doesn't have a fundamental impact on the things we care about is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/anybody-who-pretends-that-how-you-read-the-10th-and-11th-amendment/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“He wanted me to understand two big things: First, that nobody, no group, is above others. Public servants are obliged to level with everybody,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/he-wanted-me-to-understand-two-big-things-first-that-nobody-no-group/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [Don't hold against me that I don't own - that I don't own a single stock or bond. Don't hold it - I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/don-t-hold-against-me-that-i-don-t-own-that-i-don-t-own-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“True bravery is when there is very little chance of winning, but you keep fighting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/true-bravery-is-when-there-is-very-little-chance-of-winning-but-you/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [No public funding for abortion; it imposes a view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/no-public-funding-for-abortion-it-imposes-a-view/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I've known and continue to know every one of these major world leaders by their first names, and I have access to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-ve-known-and-continue-to-know-every-one-of-these-major-world/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [We are working to deploy a powerful new radar network with American early warning systems,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/we-are-working-to-deploy-a-powerful-new-radar-network-with-american/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I'm joking, I'm joking. Best decision I ever made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-m-joking-i-m-joking-best-decision-i-ever-made/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [ Somalis have made my city of Wilmington, Delaware, \[their home\] on a smaller scale. There is a large, very identifiable Somali community, i might… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/somalis-have-made-my-city-of-wilmington-delaware-their-home-on-a/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“And don’t any of you, by the way, any of you guys vote Republican. I’m not supposed to say, this isn’t political. …don’t come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/and-don-t-any-of-you-by-the-way-any-of-you-guys-vote-republican-i-m/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [We also wanted to change the story - change the approach to the 21st century on energy, on education, on transportation, on infrastructure, generally,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/we-also-wanted-to-change-the-story-change-the-approach-to-the-21st/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The spirit of Thanksgiving rests in our recognizing the blessings in our lives, and as we all take stock, I hope you will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/the-spirit-of-thanksgiving-rests-in-our-recognizing-the-blessings-in/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The president has a big stick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/the-president-has-a-big-stick/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) [Explore all 546 Joe Biden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) ## More Buying quotes > [To me, the beauty of a quilt or a dress lies within the stitches and the thought of the person who made them. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie/to-me-the-beauty-of-a-quilt-or-a-dress-lies-within-the-stitches-and/) [Natalie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie/) > [Look at music for what it's worth around the world and not just America. In other countries, people are still buying CDs and going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/look-at-music-for-what-it-s-worth-around-the-world-and-not-just/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Corporations invest in sophisticated CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, programs to effectively oversee their relationship with their customers at every point during the buying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-ostrofsky/corporations-invest-in-sophisticated-crm-or-customer-relationship/) [Marc Ostrofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-ostrofsky/) > [I'm being called in by all the great casting directors. It's no longer based on a headshot. I realize now what they're buying is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-gonzalez/i-m-being-called-in-by-all-the-great-casting-directors-it-s-no-longer/) [Nicholas Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-gonzalez/) > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [A hardback's harder at Christmas time because that's a good hardback buying time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/a-hardback-s-harder-at-christmas-time-because-that-s-a-good-hardback/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Truth is, people like buying things for $0.99 and $1.99 for their digital devices. We know that from iTunes. We know that from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lee/truth-is-people-like-buying-things-for-0-99-and-1-99-for-their/) [Jennifer Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lee/) > [There's a whole generation of women who never really heard the word investment before, when it came to fashion. They've been buying things because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kors/there-s-a-whole-generation-of-women-who-never-really-heard-the-word/) [Michael Kors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kors/) > [I think buying a home is the best investment that any individual can make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paulson/i-think-buying-a-home-is-the-best-investment-that-any-individual-can/) [John Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paulson/) > [The more a prospective customer clicks on you and your stuff, the easier it is for them to make a buying decision in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/the-more-a-prospective-customer-clicks-on-you-and-your-stuff-the/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [“If you have half a nothing - sell it for a double something, resell half at double-price, and buy another something and a half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-advise/if-you-have-half-a-nothing-sell-it-for-a-double-something-resell-half/) [Will Advise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-advise/) > [Every kid looks forward to buying their first JanSport backpack for school - you know my kids did!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-buteau/every-kid-looks-forward-to-buying-their-first-jansport-backpack-for/) [Michelle Buteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-buteau/) > [What is the focus of the new image infrastructure? Attention. It's all designed for capturing, tracking, quantifying, manipulating, holding, buying, selling and controlling attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-mau/what-is-the-focus-of-the-new-image-infrastructure-attention-it-s-all/) [Bruce Mau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-mau/) > [It’s always going to be easy to live like others or other’s life, because creating or innovating something of own is always difficult in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/it-s-always-going-to-be-easy-to-live-like-others-or-other-s-life/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The truth is, if I was maybe better or funnier or prettier, wouldn't I have starred in a movie? I can see it objectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-greer/the-truth-is-if-i-was-maybe-better-or-funnier-or-prettier-wouldn-t-i/) [Judy Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-greer/) [Browse all 1,598 Buying quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The worst thing we can do as a nation is taking the easy way out. 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