Climate Quote by Robert Bryce
““Averting the looming (pick your favorite term) catastrophe, time bomb, crisis, or emergency, requires us to hew to their worldview, one in which we humans are the problem and the Earth is the object to be saved. The biggest and most influential environmental groups routinely preach a message of doom. They regularly claim, for instance, that technology is dangerous (their opposition to nuclear and GMOs are obvious examples of this mindset) and that industrial development must be stopped in order to the save the planet. However, the painful paradox is that they are aiming to stop many of the innovations that are helping to improve the environment and raise the living standards of millions of people. They are also promoting energy policies that would be ruinous for the environment they say they want to protect.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Question of Balance, Robert Bryce, 2022
The quote argues that many environmental groups oppose technologies that could benefit both humanity and the planet, creating a paradox where anti‑innovation stances may harm the environment they aim to protect.
In simple terms: Environmental groups sometimes block tech that could help the Earth.
Question policies that truly aid both people and planet.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- climate policy debates
- energy technology adoption
- public health initiatives
- development planning
- environmental advocacy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance precaution with progress?
- What criteria should guide tech acceptance?
Opposing all technology can ignore nuanced benefits and unintended consequences.