--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the planes still swoop down and…" description: "\"When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field in order to kill a predator insect with pesticides, we are in the Dark Ages of commerce. Mayb..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/paul-hawken-3831_age_when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aer_90827.png" --- # When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field… ![“When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field in order to kill a predator insect with pesticides, we are in the Dark Ages of commerce. Maybe one thousandth of this aerial insecticide actually prevents the infestation. The balance goes to the leaves, into the soil, into the water, into…” quote by Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/paul-hawken-3831_age_when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aer_90827.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/paul-hawken-3831_age_when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aer_90827.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/paul-hawken-3831_age_when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aer_90827.png) > “When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field in order to kill a predator insect with pesticides, we are in the Dark Ages of commerce. Maybe one thousandth of this aerial insecticide actually prevents the infestation. The balance goes to the leaves, into the soil, into the water, into all forms of wildlife, into ourselves. What is good for the balance sheet is wasteful of resources and harmful to life.” [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aerial pesticide spraying is portrayed as an outdated, wasteful practice that harms ecosystems while offering minimal benefit, contrasting profit‑driven motives with ecological health. **In simple terms:** Pesticide spraying is inefficient and harmful. Key Takeaway Short‑term profit can damage long‑term ecosystems. Themes environment agriculture sustainability economics Mood concerned critical Type policy environmental When to use this quote - Farm management - Regulatory policy - Corporate sustainability reporting Key Concepts externalities tragedy of the commons Practical Applications - Adopt targeted pest control - Invest in integrated pest management Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives could replace aerial spraying? - How can businesses internalize ecological costs? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aerial Insecticide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aerial-insecticide-1129786/) [Aerial Spray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aerial-spray-1129789/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Balance sheets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-sheets/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Dark ages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-ages/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fields/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Infestation Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infestation-balance-1129790/) [Insect Pesticides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insect-pesticides-1129787/) [Insecticide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insecticide-1129788/) [Insecticides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insecticides/) [Insects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insects/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Pesticides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pesticides/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Predator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predator/) [Resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources/) [Sheets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheets/) [Soil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soil/) [Spray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spray/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wildlife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wildlife/) ## Related quotes > [When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field in order to kill a predator insect with pesticides, we are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aerial-spray-a-field-in-order-to-2/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [I think that DDT holds a lot of promise. 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