--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not enough for one country or even a…" description: "\"It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to reduce emissions when other countries continue to fill the atmosphere with carbon pollution ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f29/john-f-kerry-996_climate_it-s-not-enough-for-one-country-or-even_1833964.png" --- # It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to… ![“It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to reduce emissions when other countries continue to fill the atmosphere with carbon pollution as they see fit.” quote by John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f29/john-f-kerry-996_climate_it-s-not-enough-for-one-country-or-even_1833964.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f29/john-f-kerry-996_climate_it-s-not-enough-for-one-country-or-even_1833964.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f29/john-f-kerry-996_climate_it-s-not-enough-for-one-country-or-even_1833964.png) > “It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to reduce emissions when other countries continue to fill the atmosphere with carbon pollution as they see fit.” [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collective climate effort is essential; one nation's cuts are undermined if others keep polluting. **In simple terms:** All must act together to curb emissions. Key Takeaway Push for global cooperation on emissions. Themes environment politics cooperation Mood urgent determined Type policy activist When to use this quote - national policy - international agreements - corporate sustainability - grassroots activism Key Concepts collective responsibility tragedy of the commons Questions to Reflect On - How can we incentivize lagging nations? - What mechanisms ensure accountability? A Different Perspective Progress stalls without universal commitment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Pollution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pollution/) ## Related quotes > [If the relatively rich participating countries want to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, they will have to pay at least some poor countries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-sylvester-jacoby/if-the-relatively-rich-participating-countries-want-to-stabilize/) [Henry Sylvester Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-sylvester-jacoby/) > [The solution to climate change is staring us in the face. It's energy policy. If we pursue a global clean-energy economy, we can cut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-solution-to-climate-change-is-staring-us-in-the-face-it-s-energy/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [The international equity question arises from the costs of climate change itself and mitigation varying greatly across countries. It is affected by the historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-garnaut/the-international-equity-question-arises-from-the-costs-of-climate/) [Ross Garnaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-garnaut/) > [Fossil fuel companies and their allies are funding a massive and sophisticated campaign to mislead the American people about the environmental harm caused by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/fossil-fuel-companies-and-their-allies-are-funding-a-massive-and/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [Today, about 40 percent of America's carbon pollution comes from our power plants. There are no federal limits to the amount those plants can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/today-about-40-percent-of-america-s-carbon-pollution-comes-from-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [No country can hide from the dangers of carbon pollution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/no-country-can-hide-from-the-dangers-of-carbon-pollution/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Keystone pipeline will spew a massive amount of carbon pollution into our fragile atmosphere. It should be stopped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/the-keystone-pipeline-will-spew-a-massive-amount-of-carbon-pollution/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [And yes, my plan will continue to reduce the carbon pollution that is heating our planet - because climate change is not a hoax.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/and-yes-my-plan-will-continue-to-reduce-the-carbon-pollution-that-is/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Cap and trade is an important tool in California's climate policy portfolio. It sends a price signal to industries to reduce their carbon pollution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/cap-and-trade-is-an-important-tool-in-california-s-climate-policy/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [If we change the way the electricity sector operates, we can bring down our levels of carbon pollution, and continue the crucial task of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gillard/if-we-change-the-way-the-electricity-sector-operates-we-can-bring/) [Julia Gillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gillard/) > [We must act to reduce the increasingly dangerous and destructive levels of carbon pollution that account for practically all of global climate change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/we-must-act-to-reduce-the-increasingly-dangerous-and-destructive/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Climate change is a real consequence of human activity and we have a moral obligation to address this challenge. That means reducing carbon pollution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kander/climate-change-is-a-real-consequence-of-human-activity-and-we-have-a/) [Jason Kander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kander/) > [Putting a price on carbon pollution is one of the best things we can do to stem the tide of climate change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/putting-a-price-on-carbon-pollution-is-one-of-the-best-things-we-can/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [ \[The Clean Power Plan\] is an important step toward curbing carbon pollution and addressing climate change. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bennet/the-clean-power-plan-is-an-important-step-toward-curbing-carbon/) [Michael Bennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bennet/) > [Renewable energy could reduce emissions but also create jobs and improve public health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/renewable-energy-could-reduce-emissions-but-also-create-jobs-and/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) ## More by John F. Kerry > [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-fact-is-that-in-too-many-parts-of-our-country-we-still-have/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [ People talk about \[Bashar\] Assad running Syria. He doesn't control his own country. He's down to about 20, 25 percent of the country. What… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/people-talk-about-bashar-assad-running-syria-he-doesn-t-control-his/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-m-an-internationalist-i-d-like-to-see-our-troops-dispersed-through/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [ You cannot bring peace in Syria as long as \[Bashar\] Assad is, in fact, there. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/you-cannot-bring-peace-in-syria-as-long-as-bashar-assad-is-in-fact/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [There's an agreement that Syria should be a unified country, united; that it needs to be secular; that ISIL needs to be taken on;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/there-s-an-agreement-that-syria-should-be-a-unified-country-united/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [It's very hard to get other countries to give up their weapons when you're busy developing a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/it-s-very-hard-to-get-other-countries-to-give-up-their-weapons-when/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [There is no bigger judgment for a president of the United States than how you take a nation to war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/there-is-no-bigger-judgment-for-a-president-of-the-united-states-than/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [I have confidence in my campaign. I have assembled a great team that is going to beat George W. Bush, and any rumors to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-have-confidence-in-my-campaign-i-have-assembled-a-great-team-that/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [In a few years, you should be able to plug your American-made plug-in hybrid into the outlet in your garage, so that you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/in-a-few-years-you-should-be-able-to-plug-your-american-made-plug-in/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Unlike Washington, which is stuck in ideological gridlock, Americans feel the impact of climate change in their own hometowns and they know something must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/unlike-washington-which-is-stuck-in-ideological-gridlock-americans/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [America must always be the world's paramount military power, but we can magnify our power through alliances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/america-must-always-be-the-world-s-paramount-military-power-but-we/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [We should not allow a tiny minority of shoddy scientists and science and extreme ideologues to compete with scientific facts,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/we-should-not-allow-a-tiny-minority-of-shoddy-scientists-and-science/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Jesus did not help just the sick who could afford to pay for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/jesus-did-not-help-just-the-sick-who-could-afford-to-pay-for-it/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [War should be not a war of choice; it should be a war of necessity. And it should be a last resort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/war-should-be-not-a-war-of-choice-it-should-be-a-war-of-necessity-and/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) [Explore all 312 John F. Kerry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) ## More Climate quotes > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/) [Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [There are many more traits that the climate deniers share with the creationists and Holocaust deniers and others who distort the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-r-prothero/there-are-many-more-traits-that-the-climate-deniers-share-with-the/) [Donald R. Prothero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-r-prothero/) > [Some would call me an environmentalist. I don't know why. I reuse the water that falls in my backyard in the winter. I reuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/some-would-call-me-an-environmentalist-i-don-t-know-why-i-reuse-the/) [Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Fossil fuels, including oil, are running out and supplies are getting harder to find. If we do nothing, prices will continue to rise and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-powell/fossil-fuels-including-oil-are-running-out-and-supplies-are-getting/) [Lucy Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-powell/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I am sympathetic to developing countries’ concerns: because of our emissions it’s their crops that will disappear; because of our inaction, it’s their fields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-am-sympathetic-to-developing-countries-concerns-because-of-our/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [We live in a state with a wonderful climate and plenty of natural beauty, from the shores of Cumberland Island to the Chattahoochee River…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-barnes/we-live-in-a-state-with-a-wonderful-climate-and-plenty-of-natural/) [Roy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-barnes/) > [Right now, the government is spending billions of dollars supporting the problem-makers in the U.S. economy - the polluters, despoilers, incarcerators, and warmongers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/right-now-the-government-is-spending-billions-of-dollars-supporting/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) [Browse all 8,549 Climate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not enough for one country or even a few countries to reduce emissions when other countries continue to fill the atmosphere with carbon pollution as they see fit.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John F. 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