Housekeeping Quote by Thomas Graedel
“Either the rest of the world can't live like the developed world or we need, as a society, to think more about the technology of providing these services with less intensive use of at least certain materials. We need to do a more diligent job of good housekeeping.”
About This Quote
Source Report: Sustainable Resource Management, 2021
Society must reduce material intensity while delivering services.
In simple terms: Use fewer resources for same services.
Key Takeaway
Innovate low‑material technologies.
Themes
sustainability
resource efficiency
technology
societal responsibility
Mood
concerned
optimistic
Type
analytical
policy
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- product design
- policy making
Key Concepts
circular economy
green engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we accelerate low‑material innovation?
- What trade‑offs are acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Transition may be costly and slow.
