Quote by Theodore Roosevelt
The idea that our natural resources were inexhaustible still obtained, and there was as yet no real knowledge of their extent and condition. The relation of the conservation of natural resources to the problems of National welfare and National efficiency had not yet dawned on the public mind. The reclamation of arid public lands in the West was still a matter for private enterprise alone; and our magnificent river system, with its superb possibilities for public usefulness, was dealt with by the National Government not as a unit, but as a disconnected series of pork-barrel problems, whose only real interest was in their effect on the reelection or defeat of a Congressman here and therea theory which, I regret to say, still obtains.
Summary
This quote speaks to the lack of awareness and understanding around the conservation of natural resources in the past. It suggests that people believed that our resources were limitless and did not comprehend the impact their depletion could have on the nation's welfare and efficiency. The focus was solely on individual profit and political gains rather than recognizing the importance of preserving and managing resources for the greater public good. The quote highlights a persistent issue where decision-making regarding natural resources is still driven by personal and political self-interest rather than long-term sustainability.
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