Maurice Strong

“I have a cow's valve in my heart.”

“I am President of the UN created University for Peace, which has a strong commitment to the relationship between peace, security and the environment. I meet with young people around the world and I always come away enthused and encouraged.”

“Rumors of my wealth are greatly exaggerated. I have never been interested in money.”

“Nevertheless, the concept of sustainable development is now known - even amongst those who haven't accepted it - and it's recognized, debated and followed by an increasing number of businesses.”

“I've got used to criticisms and, naturally, I try to make sure I don't listen to the more extreme ones because most of the people who have taken their right-wing extremist view of my life are people that I've never met.”

“My son is the main shareholder of my company, and I help him explore some of those opportunities that are related to things I know about, such as energy and the environment. But I'm active because I can't think of anything else to do in my so-called retirement.”

“I learn something from criticism because when it comes from sources you respect you always examine it and learn.”

“If you want to maintain a sustainable supply of fish you have to farm the fish, rather than mine them. So putting your money into fishing fleets that are going to exacerbate the problem by over-fishing is not the way to preserve the underlying asset.”

“One of the things that I've always thought I would like to do is to develop an environmental index. Then people can measure their own environmental performance on an index as they do in other ways.”

“I am convinced the prophets of doom have to be taken seriously.”

“Toyota was the first to put a commercial fuel cell powered car on the road, and I have no doubt that Toyota will continue to be in the front lines in the development of competitive fuel cell vehicles.”

“A shift is necessary toward lifestyles less geared to environmental damaging consumption patterns.”

“I am on the board of corporations who contribute both to environmental problems and their solutions. And I am on the NGO side: the Earth Council and other organizations.”

“Inertia is a powerful force in human and political affairs.”

“The tendency is to keep doing things the way you have done them.”

“The combination of population growth and the growth in consumption is a danger that we are not prepared for and something we will need global co-operation on.”

“Most of my supporters are people who actually know me. I just continue to do the best I can and I don't bother to try and respond to every little bit because the best response is just to keep on doing what you think is right.”

“My belief is that the purpose of economic life is to meet the social needs of people.”

“The Prime Minister of India, at a meeting that I co-chaired a few months ago, stated that any development that is not sustainable is not development.”

“Ted Turner is still a leader. And he sets a great example. His ability financially has been reduced, but his influence and his example still is an important asset to the whole environmental movement.”