--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you look around the world, the…" description: "\"If you look around the world, the countries with the best environmental practices are the wealthiest. There's a reason for that. If you're worried abou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b8/john-s-watson-27426_around-the-world_if-you-look-around-the-world-the-countri_2966893.jpg" --- # If you look around the world, the countries with the best… ![“If you look around the world, the countries with the best environmental practices are the wealthiest. There's a reason for that. If you're worried about where your next meal is going to come from or shelter over your head, your focus is on those things.” quote by John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b8/john-s-watson-27426_around-the-world_if-you-look-around-the-world-the-countri_2966893.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b8/john-s-watson-27426_around-the-world_if-you-look-around-the-world-the-countri_2966893.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b8/john-s-watson-27426_around-the-world_if-you-look-around-the-world-the-countri_2966893.jpg) > “If you look around the world, the countries with the best environmental practices are the wealthiest. There's a reason for that. If you're worried about where your next meal is going to come from or shelter over your head, your focus is on those things.” [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wealthier nations often have resources and political stability that enable stronger environmental policies. **In simple terms:** Rich countries can afford better environmental protection. Key Takeaway Invest in wealth creation to fund sustainability. Themes economics environment policy wealth stability Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - government planning - urban development - corporate responsibility - community activism Key Concepts resource allocation political will public health Questions to Reflect On - How can poorer nations adopt effective practices despite limited resources? - What policies translate wealth into environmental benefit? A Different Perspective Wealth alone doesn't guarantee ethical choices; corruption can undermine progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Around the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around-the-world/) [Best Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-environmental-4547506/) [Countries Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countries-best-574237/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Meals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meals/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Over you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/over-you/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practices Wealthiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practices-wealthiest-4547504/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Shelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelter/) [Wealthiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealthiest-748118/) [Wealthiest Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealthiest-reason-4547505/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Worried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worried/) ## Related quotes > [But the truth is, countries have to do what is best in each instance to pursue both their interest and their values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/but-the-truth-is-countries-have-to-do-what-is-best-in-each-instance/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [The condition of women affords in all countries the best criterion by which to judge the character of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/the-condition-of-women-affords-in-all-countries-the-best-criterion-by/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [The countries who do the best in international comparisons, whether it's Finland or Japan, Denmark or Singapore, do well because they have professional teachers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-gardner/the-countries-who-do-the-best-in-international-comparisons-whether-it/) [Howard Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-gardner/) > [Countries with the best-resourced medical services have the best outcomes for physical illness (it is better to have a heart attack in Washington or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bentall/countries-with-the-best-resourced-medical-services-have-the-best/) [Richard Bentall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bentall/) > [If I wasn't a musician, I'd take up the law. They are the rottenest, wealthiest people in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-berry/if-i-wasn-t-a-musician-i-d-take-up-the-law-they-are-the-rottenest/) [Chuck Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-berry/) > [All the wealthiest people in the U.S. seem compelled to brag about how humble they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-brown/all-the-wealthiest-people-in-the-u-s-seem-compelled-to-brag-about-how/) [Craig Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brown/) > [I think for some, the very wealthiest among us, for corporations, taxes are too low.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beto-o-rourke/i-think-for-some-the-very-wealthiest-among-us-for-corporations-taxes/) [Beto O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beto-o-rourke/) > [Chelsea's players, coaches and agents are now football's wealthiest millionaires. Surely the billions taken from the Russian people by an oligarch in questionable privatisations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-kuper/chelsea-s-players-coaches-and-agents-are-now-football-s-wealthiest/) [Simon Kuper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-kuper/) > [In the wealthiest nation on Earth, no illness or accident should lead to any family's financial ruin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-no-illness-or-accident-should-lead/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I was shocked to see that some of the very wealthiest people in the country have organised their tax affairs, and to be fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/i-was-shocked-to-see-that-some-of-the-very-wealthiest-people-in-the/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [I used to say the wealthiest among us have to pay our fair share, which I still occasionally say. That's not dodging the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-murphy/i-used-to-say-the-wealthiest-among-us-have-to-pay-our-fair-share/) [Phil Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-murphy/) > [In the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/in-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-no-one-who-works-full-time-should/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Know the one who wants nothing to be the wealthiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shri-radhe-maa/know-the-one-who-wants-nothing-to-be-the-wealthiest/) [Shri Radhe Maa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shri-radhe-maa/) > [If you look at the NBA, it's the richest and wealthiest group of African-American men in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/if-you-look-at-the-nba-it-s-the-richest-and-wealthiest-group-of/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [The old foundations of success are gone ... The world's wealthiest man, Bill Gates, owns nothing tangible: no land, no gold or oil, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-thurow/the-old-foundations-of-success-are-gone-the-world-s-wealthiest-man/) [Lester Thurow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-thurow/) ## More by John S. Watson > [The greatest advancements in living standards over the past century have been coincident with affordable energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/the-greatest-advancements-in-living-standards-over-the-past-century/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [What I see are people who want affordable energy. They want strong environmental standards - they want a lot of things - but first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/what-i-see-are-people-who-want-affordable-energy-they-want-strong/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Despite some struggles of our own, America's business and economic system remains the envy of much of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/despite-some-struggles-of-our-own-america-s-business-and-economic/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Most of the well-developed world - Australia, Western Europe - they develop their resources base, they inventory it, they develop it, and they view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/most-of-the-well-developed-world-australia-western-europe-they/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [The United States needs an energy policy that ensures America's tax, trade, regulatory and access policies are transparent and predictable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/the-united-states-needs-an-energy-policy-that-ensures-america-s-tax/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [We're going to need oil and gas and coal for a long time if America wants to keep the lights on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/we-re-going-to-need-oil-and-gas-and-coal-for-a-long-time-if-america/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [I believe in free markets. I believe in free trade. I believe in creating the conditions that will allow that to happen. And if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/i-believe-in-free-markets-i-believe-in-free-trade-i-believe-in/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Chinese growth will either be strong or very strong. They have a voracious demand for energy that will only continue to grow. What they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/chinese-growth-will-either-be-strong-or-very-strong-they-have-a/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Price creates incentive, and energy will be developed if there's demand for it at the price you can develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/price-creates-incentive-and-energy-will-be-developed-if-there-s/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [For most of the countries I visit, getting affordable energy in the hands of the people is a preoccupation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/for-most-of-the-countries-i-visit-getting-affordable-energy-in-the/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Actually, I'm a strong supporter of comprehensive tax reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/actually-i-m-a-strong-supporter-of-comprehensive-tax-reform/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Historically, the United States has had a wonderful energy policy. We're blessed with a diversity of resources. We have oil. We have gas. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/historically-the-united-states-has-had-a-wonderful-energy-policy-we/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [Natural gas will displace coal in power generation. Getting natural gas into the transportation fleet is harder. It works best for vehicles that work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/natural-gas-will-displace-coal-in-power-generation-getting-natural/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [The United States must recognize that access to reliable and affordable energy is the basis for economic expansion - and global competitiveness. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/the-united-states-must-recognize-that-access-to-reliable-and/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) > [First, the oil and gas business pays its fair share of taxes. Despite the current debate on energy taxes, few businesses pay more in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-watson/first-the-oil-and-gas-business-pays-its-fair-share-of-taxes-despite/) [John S. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) [Explore all 20 John S. Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-watson/) ## More Around the world quotes > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [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/) > [Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/throughout-our-history-the-words-of-the-declaration-have-inspired/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [It's difficult to believe in yourself because the idea of self is an artificial construction. You are, in fact, part of the glorious oneness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-brand/it-s-difficult-to-believe-in-yourself-because-the-idea-of-self-is-an/) [Russell Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-brand/) > [We know the candidate Barack Obama, what he was like - the anti-war government nig... America was a source for division around the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santorum/we-know-the-candidate-barack-obama-what-he-was-like-the-anti-war/) [Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santorum/) > [Since 'coming out,' I've marched in gay pride parades all around the world, I've filled my home full of rainbow tat and I've become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carr/since-coming-out-i-ve-marched-in-gay-pride-parades-all-around-the/) [Liz Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carr/) > [Once, as an experiment, I travelled around the world with a single suit. Before I left, I went to a tailor in Savile Row…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hamilton/once-as-an-experiment-i-travelled-around-the-world-with-a-single-suit/) [George Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hamilton/) > [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/) [Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/) > [I look at what's happening around the world and I see Iran four years closer to a bomb. I see the Middle East with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-look-at-what-s-happening-around-the-world-and-i-see-iran-four-years/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [“The low point occurred in July, during Romney’s junior week abroad, in which the press became increasingly frustrated over Romney’s refusal to talk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/the-low-point-occurred-in-july-during-romney-s-junior-week-abroad-in/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I believe there definitely are good things about social networking. It's a way for people to connect all around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/i-believe-there-definitely-are-good-things-about-social-networking-it/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [“Isn’t everyone on the planet or at least everyone on the planet called me stuck between the two impulses of wanting to walk away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-lacey/isn-t-everyone-on-the-planet-or-at-least-everyone-on-the-planet/) [Catherine Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-lacey/) > [You always can improve and I think that's the beauty of international cricket, particularly test cricket, is playing all around the world against different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/you-always-can-improve-and-i-think-that-s-the-beauty-of-international/) [Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/) > [Trump is reviled around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-reid/trump-is-reviled-around-the-world/) [Joy Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-reid/) [Browse all 3,349 Around the world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around-the-world/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you look around the world, the countries with the best environmental practices are the wealthiest. 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