Amends Quote by Paul Hawken
“Sustainability is an economic state where the demands placed upon the environment by people and commerce can be met without reducing the capacity of the environment to provide for future generations. It can also be expressed in the simple terms of an economic golden rule for the restorative economy: Leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, make amends if you do.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken, 1993
Sustainability means meeting present needs without harming future ecological capacity, guided by a restorative economic ethic.
In simple terms: Live within Earth’s limits for future generations.
Key Takeaway
Adopt the economic golden rule for the environment.
Themes
environment
economics
future generations
ethics
balance
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- business planning
- policy making
- personal consumption
- urban development
Key Concepts
circular economy
resource stewardship
intergenerational justice
renewable practices
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to reduce your ecological footprint?
- How can businesses balance profit with planetary health?
A Different Perspective
Economic growth often conflicts with ecological limits.
![“Sadly, [Pablo Escobar] ended up throwing away the one opportunity he had. I naively thought, as a son and as many other Colombians, that he would take this opportunity to make amends with the country.” quote by Juan Pablo Escobar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/54f/juan-pablo-escobar-11709_amends_sadly-pablo-escobar-ended-up-throwing-aw_127586.jpg)
