Affluent Quote by Wendell Berry
“And having thoughtlessly polluted our streams and rivers, we have seen in recent years a rapidly growing market for bottled drinking water. I am sure that some will say that a rapidly growing market for water is "good for the economy," and most of us are still affluent enough to pay the cost. Nevertheless, it is a considerable cost that we are now paying for drinkable water, which we once had in plentiful supply at little cost or none at all. And the increasing of the cost suggests that the time may come when the cost will be unaffordable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unsettling of America, 1977
The quote warns that commodifying essential natural resources like water leads to rising costs and inequitable access, threatening sustainability and affordability.
In simple terms: Treating water as a market product raises prices and can make it unaffordable.
Key Takeaway
Protect water as a public good, not a commodity.
Themes
environment
economics
justice
public health
sustainability
Mood
concerned
urgent
reflective
Type
political
environmental
ethical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy making
- community activism
- personal consumption habits
Key Concepts
externalities
resource management
social equity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure water remains affordable for all?
- What policies could limit profit‑driven water bottling?
A Different Perspective
Market forces may not prioritize long‑term ecological health over short‑term profit.
