297+ Earth Day Quotes That Will SHAME You Into Saving the Planet
Worried about our planet? Feeling down about the Earth? Find hope and inspiration with 297+ amazing Earth Day quotes.
Earth Day is a special day to celebrate our amazing planet. But let’s be honest, sometimes when we look around at the news or see all the trash, it can feel a little scary.
Are we taking care of our Earth well enough?
The good news is, there’s SO much we can do to help.
And guess what?
We’re not alone!
There are tons of people who love the Earth just as much as you do. In fact, some really smart and inspiring folks have said some pretty incredible things about our planet.
That’s why we put together this list of 297+ Earth Day quotes. These aren’t just boring old sayings, either.
They’re packed with wisdom, hope, and even a little humor to remind us why our Earth is so special, and how we can all make a difference, big or small.
So, read on, get inspired, and let us celebrate Earth Day together.
58 Inspirational Earth Day Quotes
1. “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
2. “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
3. “The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
4. “If every day were Earth Day we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
5. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
6. “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” – Barack Obama
7. “Let us live in harmony with nature, for all is akin to us.” – Seneca
8. “Where flowers bloom so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson
9. “Sustainability is not a destination, it’s a journey.” – Dennis Weaver
10. “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.” – John Muir
11. “The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; where all are united.” – Richard Nixon
12. “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Gary Snyder
13. “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
14. “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes, you have to pick up a little trash.” – Terry Pratchett
15. “The Earth has music for those who will listen.” – George Santayana
16. “The earth laughs in flowers.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
17. “To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davies
18. “Earth rejoices our words, breathing and peaceful steps. Let every breath, every word and every step make the mother earth proud of us.” – Amit Ray
19. “Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder
20. “For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
21. “You don’t have to save the world. Just do something that will make it a better place.” – Captain Picard (Star Trek)
22. “The poetry of the earth is never dead.” – John Keats
23. “No matter how small the light of the candle, it can still dispel darkness.” – Siddharta Gautama
24. “The environment is not something that we inherit from our parents; it is something that we borrow from our children.” – John Quiggley
25. “The Earth we abuse and exploit is the mother who feeds us.” – Gandhi
26. “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” – Chief Seattle
27. “Look at the world through the eyes of a child. Remember the joy that you found in small things, in nature…” – Rachel Carson
28. “We are on Earth to take care of life. That’s all there is.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
29. “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” – John Muir
30. “Think not what your parents have done for you, think what you are going to do for your children.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
31. “Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity, and it’s clear we need to act now.” – Ban Ki-moon
32. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
33. “Is the spring coming?” – Victor Hugo
34. “In nature, nothing exists alone.” – Rachel Carson
35. “The more I learn about the world, the more convinced I am that nature controls everything.” – Vincent van Gogh
36. “Do not think that money can buy you peace of mind. It can buy you the bed to sleep on, but it cannot buy you the dreams.” – Chinese Proverb
37. “The earth has its music for those who will listen.” – George Santayana
38. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine
39. “The Earth we abuse and exploit is the mother who feeds us.” – Gandhi
40. “Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find riches where others see only chaos.” – Rachel Carson
41. “Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.” – Jimmy Carter
42. “The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; where all are united.” – Richard Nixon
43. “Let us preserve what Mother Nature has provided for us.” – M.S. Dhoni
44. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
45. “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” – Voltaire
46. “The Earth is but one country, and all mankind its citizens.” – Wendell Berry
47. “The butchery of the environment goes on apace. This is the background against which we must make our choice.” – Rachel Carson
48. “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” – Rachel Carson
49. “The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
50. “You have to be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
51. “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.” – John James Audubon
52. “In conservation, we must use the strongest possible arguments we can find. The weakest reason on earth for conserving anything is that it is ‘cute’.” – Aldo Leopold
53. “No matter how small you are, you can make a difference.” – Greta Thunberg
54. “The Earth is a spaceship with no known life support systems. To abandon ship in mid-voyage seems like a bad decision.” – Walter Cronkite
55. “The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; where all are united.” – Richard Nixon
56. “The rich beauty of the Earth enhances all of us, and those who can see nature clearly see themselves and their place in the world.” – Freeman Tilden
57. “One does not have to be a botanist to appreciate the beauty of a flower or a tree. One needs only a heart.” – Nhat Hanh
58. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
83 Funny Earth Day Quotes
1. “Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.” – Bill Vaughn
2. “Not all chemicals are bad. Water, for example, is a chemical compound, and we can all agree water is pretty darn good.” – David Suzuki
3. “On Earth Day, I like to plant fake trees. They never need watering and always look perfect! #JustKidding #PlantARealTree”
4. “I’m recycling all my old jokes for Earth Day. They’re already composted.”
5. “Me trying to explain to my houseplants why I haven’t watered them in a week: ‘It’s Earth Day! We’re all supposed to conserve water!’ #GuiltyPleasure”
6. “Earth Day? More like Every Day should be Earth Day! Unless… there’s free pizza involved. Then maybe National Pizza Day can take priority.”
7. “I’m so down to Earth, I’m practically made of soil.” — Unknown
8. “I finally found a use for all those plastic bags I keep forgetting to bring to the store. Reusability at its finest! #EarthDayHero (Maybe?)”
9. “Sure, I’ll save the planet. But can we do it after my nap?”
10. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m pledging to use less hot water in the shower… unless it’s super cold outside.”
11. “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” — John Muir
12. “Does using a reusable water bottle make me an eco-warrior, or am I just a fancy water hoarder?”
13. “Earth Day is the one day a year I feel slightly less guilty about my carbon footprint.”
14. “Me trying to convince my car it only needs one more drive-thru run: ‘It’s Earth Day! We gotta celebrate with delicious food!'”
15. “I’m so environmentally friendly, I almost forgot to print out 10 copies of this Earth Day presentation.”
16. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m making a conscious effort to breathe less heavily. You’re welcome, planet.”
17. “Just a friendly reminder that using reusable grocery bags doesn’t make it okay to buy ten bags of chips.”
18. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope an alien civilization visits us on Earth Day? Maybe they’ll have some good tips on how to save the planet.”
19. “Earth Day resolution: I will walk to work… if the parking lot is full.”
20. “Finally convinced my dog to go green. Now he only pees on electric cars.”
21. “Me trying to explain to my plants why I haven’t talked to them in weeks: ‘It’s Earth Day! I’m giving you some quality alone time!'”
22. “Recycling is easy! Just toss all your plastic in the ‘maybe someone will figure this out later’ bin.”
23. “Earth Day? More like Every Day should be Earth Day! Unless… there’s a sale at the mall. Then maybe Earth Day can wait.”
24. “I love Earth Day! It’s the perfect time to wear all my clothes with nature-themed patterns. Look at me, saving the planet one floral shirt at a time!”
25. “Does using a reusable straw make me a superhero? Because honestly, I feel pretty darn powerful sipping my smoothie.”
26. “Recycling resolution: I will sort my trash… eventually. Maybe after that next episode.”
27. “There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” — Mindy Kaling
28. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m promising to use less electricity… unless a new season of my favorite show drops on Netflix.”
29. “Earth Day? Don’t worry, I’m not going to bombard you with inspirational quotes. Just know that I’m silently judging your single-use plastic water bottle.”
30. “Climate change is real… and so is my love for air conditioning. Happy Earth Day!”
31. “Sure, I’ll save the planet. But can we do it after that second helping of dessert?”
32. “Is it too early to start planning for next Earth Day? Because let’s be honest, I’m probably going to need another reminder.”
33. “Finally convinced my cat to go green. Now she only chases butterflies powered by renewable energy.”
34. “Earth. You don’t have to be crazy to live here, but it helps.” — Ryan Howard, The Office
35. “Recycling resolution: I will shower with less water… unless I really need to wash away the memory of that bad pun.”
36. “Earth Day? More like Every Day should be Earth Day! Unless… there’s a zombie apocalypse. Then maybe saving the planet can wait a bit.”
37. “Just booked a weekend getaway to celebrate Earth Day! Don’t worry, it’s a super eco-friendly destination… with a private jet.”
38. “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” — Steve Martin
39. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m making a conscious effort to walk more… to the fridge.”
40. “Just a friendly reminder that using a reusable water bottle doesn’t make it okay to buy ten gallons of ice cream.”
41. “Earth Day? Sounds like a great excuse to plant some houseplants… and then promptly forget to water them.”
42. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope a superhero saves the planet for us? Because honestly, I’m not really feeling the whole ‘eco-warrior’ vibe.”
43. “Recycling resolution: I will try my best to remember which bin is for plastic… most of the time.”
44. “Gardening requires lots of water — most of it in the form of perspiration.” — Lou Erickson
45. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m promising to use less hot water in the shower… unless it’s raining cats and dogs outside.”
46. “Earth Day social media post idea: Inspiring quote about saving the planet… with a cute animal picture to get more likes.”
47. “I’m so environmentally friendly, I almost forgot to buy a single-use plastic cup for my Earth Day smoothie.”
48. “Climate change is real… and so is my love for online shopping. Happy Earth Day!”
49. “Sure, I’ll save the planet. But can we do it after I finish this bag of chips?”
50. “Recycling resolution: I will definitely, maybe, possibly rinse out my yogurt containers before tossing them in the bin.”
51. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m making a conscious effort to breathe less heavily… especially after that big meal.”
52. “Just a friendly reminder that using a reusable grocery bag doesn’t make it okay to buy ten pounds of candy.”
53. “A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.” — Doug Larson
54. “Earth Day? Sounds like a great excuse to buy some new eco-friendly clothes… that I’ll probably only wear once.”
55. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope a dystopian future movie inspires people to take better care of the planet? Because you know, Hollywood can be pretty persuasive.” – unknown
56. “Recycling resolution: I will cut down on my paper towel usage… unless there’s a spill. Or a really messy meal.” – unknown
57. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m promising to unplug more electronics… unless my phone battery is about to die.” – unknown
58. “Earth Day social media post idea: Picture of me holding a sapling… even though I killed my last cactus.” – unknown
59. “I’m so environmentally friendly, I almost forgot to print out a coloring page for my kids about the importance of recycling.” – unknown
60. “Living on Earth may be tough, but it includes a free ride around the sun every year.” — Unknown
61. “Climate change is real… and so is my love for long, hot showers. Happy Earth Day!” – unknown
62. “Sure, I’ll save the planet. But can we do it after I finish this episode? And maybe the next one?” – unknown
63. “Recycling resolution: I will try my best to sort my trash… but no promises if there’s pizza involved.” – unknown
64. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m making a conscious effort to walk more… to the mailbox.” – unknown
65. “Just a friendly reminder that using a reusable water bottle doesn’t make it okay to buy ten cases of soda.” – unknown
66. “Earth Day? Sounds like a great excuse to take a nature hike… and then complain about all the bugs.” – unknown
67. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope a documentary about climate change scares people into action? Because catchy slogans just aren’t working for me.” – Unknown
68. “I’d like to connect with nature, but there’s no USB port.” — Unknown
69. “Earth Day social media post idea: Picture of me picking up trash at the park… even though I probably dropped half of it.” – unknown
70. “Recycling resolution: I will cut down on my food waste… unless there are leftovers. Or free pizza at work.” – unknown
71. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m promising to use less hot water in the shower… unless it’s freezing outside.” – unknown
72. “Earth Day social media post idea: Deep philosophical quote about our connection to nature… with a funny animal meme to lighten the mood.” – unknown
73. “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.” — Arthur C. Clarke
74. “I’m so environmentally friendly, I almost forgot to drive my car to the local farmers market to buy organic kale.” – unknown
75. “Climate change is real… and so is my love for air travel. Happy Earth Day!” – unknown
76. “Sure, I’ll save the planet. But can we do it after I finish this ice cream sundae?” – unknown
77. “Recycling resolution: I will be more mindful about my energy usage… but don’t judge me if I forget to turn off the lights sometimes.” – unknown
78. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m making a conscious effort to be less wasteful… with paper towels. But napkins are a whole other story.” – unknown
79. “Just a friendly reminder that using a reusable grocery bag doesn’t make it okay to buy ten pounds of cookies.” – unknown
80. “Earth Day? Sounds like a great excuse to plant a vegetable garden… and then completely forget about it.” – unknown
81. “Is it wrong that I kind of hope a celebrity uses their platform to speak up about environmental issues? Because awareness is key, right?” – unknown
82. “Recycling resolution: I will finally learn the difference between compost and recycling bins… maybe.” – unknown
83. “Happy Earth Day! Today, I’m promising to use less hot water in the shower… unless I just got done working out.” – unknown
19 Earth Day Quotes from Indigenous People
1. “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” – Chief Seattle (Dúwamish and Suquamish)
2. “Respect the Earth, she is our mother.” – Arapaho Saying
3. “We are the Earth and the Earth is us.” – Potawatomi Saying
4. “Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we can’t eat money.” – Cree Prophecy
5. “The land remembers.” – Cherokee Saying
6. “We are the younger brothers of all creation.” – Lakota Saying
7. “Take care of the Earth and she will take care of you.” – Havasupai Saying
8. “The Earth will be here long after we are gone. It is not ours to abuse at will.” – Navajo Saying
9. “We must learn to live in harmony with nature in order to survive.” – Acoma Saying
10. “The wind that blows through the trees also blows through me.” – Chief Seattle (Dúwamish and Suquamish)
11. “All is relative to the Earth and all that is upon it.” – Luther Standing Bear (Oglala Lakota)
12. “What is the good of a house if you haven’t got a planet to put it on?” – Hopi Saying – This highlights the importance of a healthy planet for our very existence.
13. “The Creator has not given us dominion over the Earth or over the creatures of the Earth; the only dominion that each creature has is dominion over itself.” – Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux)
14. “The stories of our ancestors are not mere fables, but keys to understanding who we are and how we can live in harmony with the Earth.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi writer)
15. “The Earth teaches patience. It teaches perspective. And it teaches us the interconnectedness of all things.” – Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabe activist)
16. “You can never get enough of sky.” – Apache Saying
17. “If a man wants to live long, let him first learn to live in harmony with all things.” – Crow Saying
18. “We are all visitors to this time, and all we have is borrowed. All shall we return.” – Leonard Peltier (Lakota activist)
19. “The rivers, the mountains, they are alive. The spirit of life is in all things.” – Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux)
37 Short Earth Day Quotes
1. “The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
2. “Let’s preserve what Mother Nature has provided.” – M.S. Dhoni
3. “Think not what they did, but what you will do.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
4. “Be the change you wish to see.” – Mahatma Gandhi
5. “Sustainability: a journey, not a destination.” – Dennis Weaver
6. “Nature’s music for those who listen.” – George Santayana
7. “Every little bit helps make a big difference.”
8. “Future belongs to dreamers of beauty.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
9. “Recycle, reuse, reduce! It’s good for you and the Earth too!” – (Simple rhyme)
10. “Plant a tree today, breathe easier tomorrow.”
11. “Water, air, sunshine: Earth’s life essentials.”
12. “Bees, trees, all life: a healthy planet thrives.”
13. “No matter how small, you can make a change.” – Greta Thunberg
14. “One Earth, shared by all. Protect it, big or small.”
15. “Doubt is okay, but certainty is absurd.” – Voltaire
16. “The environment: everyone’s right, everyone’s fight.”
17. “Earth Day? Every Day for the amazing blue and green!”
18. “Less screen time, more green time. Happy Earth Day!”
19. “Nature’s beauty, a gift to cherish. Let’s protect it!”
20. “Can’t eat money. Save the planet, it’s funny!” – (Cree Prophecy rephrased)
21. “Small actions, big impact. Let’s go green!”
22. “The Earth: borrow from children, return it well.” – (Chief Seattle rephrased)
23. “Future generations thank you for a healthy Earth.”
24. “Explore, learn, protect: our amazing Earth awaits.”
25. “Sustainability: the coolest movement on Earth!”
26. “Less ‘stuff,’ more experiences. Happy Earth Day!”
27. “Stars at night, Earth’s beauty, a breathtaking sight.”
28. “Technology’s friend, not foe. Green solutions grow!”
29. “Innovation for good: a sustainable future awaits.”
30. “One planet, one chance. Let’s make it count!”
31. “Climate change is real. Let’s act, not react.”
32. “Listen to the Earth. It whispers wisdom.”
33. “Knowledge is power. Protect our Earth’s every hour.”
34. “Simple living, high thinking. Happy Earth Day!”
35. “Be the voice for those who have no voice: the Earth.”
36. “United by nature, divided by none. Happy Earth Day!”
37. “Heal the Earth, heal ourselves. It’s all connected.”
101 Earth Day Instagram Captions
You can see the full list of 101 Instagram Captions for Earth Day here.
1. Celebrating our beautiful planet today and every day.
2. One Earth, one home. Let’s protect it.
3. Small changes, big impact. What’s your Earth Day pledge?
4. Reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s that simple.
5. The Earth has music for those who listen.
6. Nature is not a place to visit. It is our home.
7. The grass is NOT greener on the other side: Look at Mars.
8. Feeling green with envy for no one – because Earth rocks!
10. Clean oceans are happy oceans.
11. Protect our endangered species.
You can see the full list of 101 Instagram Captions for Earth Day here.
