Skip to content

Air Quote by Richard M. Nixon

“We still think of air as free. But clean air is not free, and neither is clean water. The price tag on pollution control is high. Through our years of past carelessness we incurred a debt to nature, and now that debt is being called.” quote by Richard M. Nixon
Download Open image
“We still think of air as free. But clean air is not free, and neither is clean water. The price tag on pollution control is high. Through our years of past carelessness we incurred a debt to nature, and now that debt is being called.”

Richard M. Nixon

About This Quote

Source Speech: Environmental Policy Address, 1970

Clean air and water are costly; past negligence created a debt to nature that must be repaid.

In simple terms: Environmental health costs money and responsibility.

Key Takeaway

Invest in sustainable solutions now.

Themes

environment responsibility pollution

Mood

serious urgent

Type

statement policy

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • urban planning
  • public health

Key Concepts

economics ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies fund clean resources?
  • What responsibilities do we have to future generations?
A Different Perspective

Economic constraints may limit action.

3.1 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Richard M. Nixon

Explore all 388 Richard M. Nixon quotes

More Air quotes

Browse all 6,278 Air quotes