Clearly, we need to rethink our attitudes about water and move away from thinking of it as nearly a free good and a God-given right.
Interpretation
We need to change our perspective on water, viewing it as a valuable resource rather than an unlimited gift.
This quote by Norman Borlaug emphasizes the importance of reevaluating our relationship with water. It suggests that we should recognize water as a precious resource that requires careful management, rather than assuming it is an inexhaustible free good that is naturally provided to us by nature.
In practice
In a presentation on environmental awareness, one might quote Borlaug to stress the necessity of sustainable water management.
During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
We must recognize the fact that adequate food is only the first requisite for life. For a decent and humane life, we must also provide an opportunity for good education, remunerative employment, comfortable housing, good clothing, and effective and compassionate medical care.
We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
Nevertheless, the number of farmers, small as well as large, who are adopting the new seeds and new technology is increasing very rapidly, and the increase in numbers during the past three years has been phenomenal.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
This is a basic problem, to feed 6.6 billion people. Without fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.
Among all researchers who have worked in the African field, I consider myself one of the most fortunate because of the privilege of having been able to study the mountain gorilla.
I think probably one of the important things that happened to me was growing up in Idaho in the mountains, in the woods, and having a very strong presence of the wilderness around me. That never felt like emptiness. It always felt like presence.
The god of dirt came up to me many times and said so many wise and delectable things, I lay on the grass listening to his dog voice, frog voice; now, he said, and now, and never once mentioned forever from, One or Two Things
The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase these things with money.
...only the unscrupulous or shortsighted can defend pollution and degradation of the countryside.
We are using resources as if we had two planets, not one. There can be no 'plan B' because there is no 'planet B.'
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