Inspiring Environmental Quotes for Earth Day

Climate activist Greta Thunberg
Climate activist Greta Thunberg photographed on the shore in Lisbon, Portugal December 4, 2019 Photograph by Evgenia Arbugaeva for TIME

“We deserve a safe future. And we demand a safe future. Is that really too much to ask? “…Right now we are the ones who are making a difference. If no one else will take action then we will… It should not be that way. We should not be the ones who are fighting for the future. And yet, here we are.” — Climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg at the Global Climate Strike, 2019.

Here are more inspiring quotes about children and the environment. Tweet your favourite inspiring quotes to be added to this collection and tag @love_trees.


“Let’s leave fear behind and step into a greener future of sustainability, togetherness and hope.” — Poppy Stowell-Evans, 16, at the 2021 United Nations Youth Environment Assembly.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”  — Dr. Seuss

“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 Louv

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”  — Mahatma Ghandi

One individual cannot possibly make a difference, alone. It is individual efforts, collectively, that makes a noticeable difference— all the difference in the world!” — Dr. Jane Goodall

“Let’s give children opportunities to fall in love with nature because you protect what you love.” — Andrea Koehle Jones

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Native American Proverb

We must teach our children to smell the earth, to taste the rain, to touch the wind, to see things grow, to hear the sun rise and night fall – to care.” — John Cleal

Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.” — David Polis

Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake up and take action!” — Leonardo DiCaprio

To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

“The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.” — Richard Rogers

“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.” — Thomas Berry

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.” — Rachel Carson

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” — Frank Lloyd Wright

“What gives me hope are young people: They know it and they call it.” Inger AndersenUnder-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

I’m planting a tree to teach me to gather strength from my deepest roots.” — Andrea Koehle Jones