Balance Quote by John Holdren
“It is economically irrational to exclude large environmental costs from the balance sheets of the producers and the consumers. You are only kidding yourself if you export those costs on to society as a whole.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Climate economics, 2018
Ignoring environmental damage in accounting misleads decision‑makers and harms society.
In simple terms: Ignore costs, harm all.
Key Takeaway
Account for environmental impacts.
Themes
economics
environment
policy
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
academic
policy
When to use this quote
- corporate reporting
- government budgeting
- investment decisions
- product pricing
Key Concepts
externalities
sustainability
cost‑benefit analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How can firms measure hidden environmental costs?
- What incentives encourage true accounting?
A Different Perspective
Quantifying costs can be complex and contested.
