--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Given the scale of issues like global…" description: "\"Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic disease, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of a can-do attitude to science rather th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg" --- # Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic… ![“Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic disease, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of a can-do attitude to science rather than a can't-afford-it attitude.” quote by Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg) > “Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic disease, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of a can-do attitude to science rather than a can't-afford-it attitude.” [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adopt a proactive, optimistic mindset toward scientific challenges instead of defeatist thinking. **In simple terms:** Stay positive about science solutions. Key Takeaway Embrace a can‑do attitude. Themes science optimism global challenges Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - research labs - government briefings - public debates - educational workshops Key Concepts climate change pandemic response innovation policy making Questions to Reflect On - How can optimism be balanced with realism? - What actions embody a can‑do attitude? A Different Perspective Optimism can overlook practical constraints and resource limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afford Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afford-attitude-1805862/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-science-1805860/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Epidemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epidemic/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Global](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global/) [Global warming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-warming/) [Importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance/) [Importance Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance-attitude-1805861/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rather/) [Scale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scale/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Afford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-afford-1805859/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Underestimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate/) [Warming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warming/) [Warming Epidemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warming-epidemic-1805863/) ## Related quotes > [I've seen the importance of the attitude towards supporting people in other parts of the world and the way in which that will benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-ve-seen-the-importance-of-the-attitude-towards-supporting-people-in/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [“...that kind of skeptical questioning, don't accept what authority tells you -attitude of science- is also nearly identical to the attitude of mind necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/that-kind-of-skeptical-questioning-don-t-accept-what-authority-tells/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“In a way our job is not so much to inspire the scientist in kids, but rather to allow it to grow on its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rivka-galchen/in-a-way-our-job-is-not-so-much-to-inspire-the-scientist-in-kids-but/) [Rivka Galchen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rivka-galchen/) > [The Christian church, in its attitude toward science, shows the mind of a more or less enlightened man of the Thirteenth Century. It no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-christian-church-in-its-attitude-toward-science-shows-the-mind-of/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [One of my worries about America is the epidemic of depression we've been in. One of the possibilities about that is that the 'I'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/one-of-my-worries-about-america-is-the-epidemic-of-depression-we-ve/) [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) > [“An epidemic worse than any plague that humankind has ever seen has been raging for centuries. It is the “don’t want” epidemic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/an-epidemic-worse-than-any-plague-that-humankind-has-ever-seen-has/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [We are not for disarming people. 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Violence in the media for entertainment purposes has been established as a major contributing factor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-prothrow-stith/violence-in-our-society-has-reached-epidemic-proportions-violence-in/) [Deborah Prothrow-Stith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-prothrow-stith/) > [War is the most devastating endemic and epidemic disease the human race has to endure, and yet too little has been done to discover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/war-is-the-most-devastating-endemic-and-epidemic-disease-the-human/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The infant mortality rates are insanely high. The obesity epidemic is on the rise. It is all related.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-williams-paisley/the-infant-mortality-rates-are-insanely-high-the-obesity-epidemic-is/) [Kimberly Williams-Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-williams-paisley/) > [Although it is still important to develop an HIV vaccine, we have significant tools already at our disposal that can make a major impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-it-is-still-important-to-develop-an-hiv-vaccine-we-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If the epidemic continues its mathematical rate of acceleration, civilization could easily disappear from the face of the earth.” —The Army Surgeon General, 1918”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-druga/if-the-epidemic-continues-its-mathematical-rate-of-acceleration/) [Jacqueline Druga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-druga/) ## More by Martin Rees > [A monkey is unaware that atoms exist. Likewise, our brainpower may not stretch to the deepest aspects of reality. The bedrock nature of space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/a-monkey-is-unaware-that-atoms-exist-likewise-our-brainpower-may-not/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The advance of science spares us from irrational dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-advance-of-science-spares-us-from-irrational-dread/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [“The Sun contains about a thousand times more mass than Jupiter. 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In particular, I think that we should not rubbish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/i-have-no-religious-belief-myself-but-i-don-t-think-we-should-fight/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [“More energy is needed to rise a millimetre above a neutron star's surface than to break completely free of Earth's gravity. A pen dropped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/more-energy-is-needed-to-rise-a-millimetre-above-a-neutron-star-s/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The next humans to walk on the moon may be Chinese. Only China seems to have the resources, the dirigiste government, and the willingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-next-humans-to-walk-on-the-moon-may-be-chinese-only-china-seems/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [If we ever established contact with intelligent life on another world, there would be barriers to communication. 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There are many doors science can open that should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/there-is-an-ever-widening-gap-between-what-science-allows-and-what-we/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [An insect is more complex than a star..and is a far greater challenge to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/an-insect-is-more-complex-than-a-star-and-is-a-far-greater-challenge/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The physicist is like someone who's watching people playing chess and, after watching a few games, he may have worked out what the moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-physicist-is-like-someone-who-s-watching-people-playing-chess-and/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [We are 'nuclear waste' from the fuel that makes stars shine; indeed, each of us contains atoms whose provenance can be traced back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/we-are-nuclear-waste-from-the-fuel-that-makes-stars-shine-indeed-each/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [Just as there are many Jews who keep the Friday ritual in their home despite describing themselves as atheists, I am a 'tribal Christian,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/just-as-there-are-many-jews-who-keep-the-friday-ritual-in-their-home/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) [Explore all 143 Martin Rees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [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/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic disease, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of a can-do attitude to science rather than a can't-afford-it attitude.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Rees" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-warming-and-epidemic-disease-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-warming-and-epidemic-disease-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/martin-rees-3002_attitude_given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-wa_1774191.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Given the scale of issues like global warming and epidemic disease, we shouldn't underestimate the…” — Martin Rees", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Martin Rees", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Given the scale of issues like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-warming-and-epidemic-disease-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/given-the-scale-of-issues-like-global-warming-and-epidemic-disease-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```