“The Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth. This we know. All things are connected. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.”

–Ted Perry [Often misattributed to Chief Seattle, see Source Notes]

“Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another.”

– Yuri Kochiyama

“It’s normal to miss someone when you’re alone and lonely, but missing someone when you’re busy and having fun, that’s true affection.”

– anonymous

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”

– Mister Rodgers

“My Yanomami people have always lived in peace with the forest. Our ancestors taught us to understand our land and animals. We have used this knowledge carefully, for our existence depends on it. My Yanomami land was invaded by miners. A fifth of our people died from diseases we had never known.”

–Davi Kopenawa Yanomami [See source notes]

“Principles for the development of a complete mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses—especially learn how to sea. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

– Leonardo da Vinci

“Let us take action to prevent any more victims from having their dreams of a better future turn into nightmares of exploitation and servitude.”

– Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006)