Air Quote by Ronald Reagan
“I know Teddy Kennedy had fun at the Democratic convention when he said that I said that trees and vegetation caused 80 percent of the air pollution in this country. ... Well, now he was a little wrong about what I said. I didn't say 80 percent. I said 92 percent-93 percent, pardon me. And I didn't say air pollution, I said oxides of nitrogen. Growing and decaying vegetation in this land are responsible for 93 percent of the oxides of nitrogen. ... If we are totally successful and can eliminate all the manmade oxides of nitrogen, we'll still have 93 percent as much as we have in the air today.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the 1980 Republican National Convention, 1980
Reagan corrects his earlier claim, emphasizing that natural vegetation accounts for most nitrogen oxides, not human activity alone.
In simple terms: Nature contributes most nitrogen oxides, not just humans.
Key Takeaway
Recognize natural sources in environmental policy.
Themes
environment
policy
science
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
informative
policy
When to use this quote
- climate policy
- air quality regulation
- environmental education
Key Concepts
nitrogen cycle
anthropogenic emissions
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policy address both natural and human sources?
- What are the implications for emission reduction targets?
A Different Perspective
Human actions still affect emissions, but natural cycles dominate.
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