We are telling our kids that nature is in the past and it probably doesn't count anymore, the future is in electronics, the boogeyman is in the woods, and playing outdoors is probably illicit and possibly illegal.
Richard LouvRead
A lot of people think they need to give up nature to become adults but that's not true. However, you have to be careful how you describe and define 'nature.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that embracing nature is not a sign of immaturity, but rather an essential part of adulthood, dependent on how we understand 'nature'.
Richard Louv argues that many believe that growing up requires abandoning our connection to nature, which is a misconception. He suggests that the true essence of nature may vary based on individual interpretations, and nurturing this connection can enhance our adult lives rather than detract from them.
Themes
NatureAdulthoodConnectionGrowthInterpretation
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at an environmental summit, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of nature in personal development.
More from Richard Louv
All quotes βNow, more than ever, we need nature as a balancing agent.
Richard LouvRead
The future will belong to the nature-smart...Th e more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.
Richard LouvRead
We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children's memories, the adventures we've had together in nature will always exist.
Richard LouvRead
Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities.
Richard LouvRead
Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment, we must also save an endangered indicator species: the child in nature.
Richard LouvRead
Similar quotes
My favorite quote: The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land. In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.
Aldo LeopoldRead
The notions that nature exists to serve us; that its value consists of the instrumental benefits we can extract; that this value can be measured in cash terms; and that what can't be measured does not matter, have proved lethal to the rest of life on Earth.
George MonbiotRead
With the world's human population now at seven billion and growing, and the demand for technology and modern conveniences increasing, we can't control all our negative impacts. But we have to find better ways to live within the limits nature and its cycles impose.
David SuzukiRead
If people think nature is their friend, then they sure don't need an enemy.
Kurt VonnegutRead
She was beautiful, but she was beautiful in the way a forest fire was beautiful.
Neil GaimanRead
Beauty and sadness always go together. Nature thought beauty too rich to go forth Upon the earth without a meet alloy.
George MacdonaldRead