Move aside New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Easter! The most meaningful holiday is here: Earth Day. Since 1970, it’s been celebrated on April 22, as a way to promote awareness about environmental issues and sustainable life on the planet. Activities vary from using Earth Day quotes for Instagram captions and making posters with slogans, to full-scale protests that demand change and even direct, real, and substantial improvements in our communities.
The Earth Day quotes of today sometimes borrow from thinkers of yesteryears, reminding us that, hm, we have heard those things before
Antarctica is melting, the world is drowning in plastic, and species are brought to the edge of extinction through poaching or even wars. The air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the food that we eat, are deteriorating day by day. The galloping natural disasters and extreme weather changes are not a wake-up call anymore. The nightmare is coming, and we cannot be soothed by shushing lullabies.
Humanity hasn’t moved much in the last 50 years. I still remember school lessons that were telling us it was the last moment to act (and that was more than three decades ago!).
Among the memories, survived this Native American proverb: “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” We were taught this was a quote by a Sioux chief, even if in the last decades, these words were attributed to many others, from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Ralph Waldo Emerson to David Brower and Lester Brown.
The Earth Day quotes of today also sometimes borrow from previous thinkers, reminding us that, hm, we have heard those things before. As if in some terrifying loop, we seem to know all the answers, as much as we knew them decades earlier. Yet, we still do not do enough to reduce our carbon footprint, change our eating habits, or sort out our garbage production.
Human and A.I. take on Earth Day captions
In today’s article, I bring you the list of 100 Mother Earth Day quotes and slogans that range from funny, and catchy to downright inspiring.
Hopefully, they can inspire you to take real action. At the very least, you can use them for your social media captions and statuses, posters, or protest banners.
Most thoughtful Earth Day sayings were created by humans. As clever contributions to the discussion on our planet’s most urgent problems can never be too many (and it’s 2023, after all!), I gave the task to artificial intelligence chatbots, namely ChatGPT, Bing, and Bard, to come up with their own Earth Day slogans.
Just like humans, these smart-head technologies may be regurgitating already expressed human thoughts, but on this holiday, recycling certainly shouldn’t be an issue.
With this ultimate collection of Earth Day lines, ranging from deep thoughts to dad jokes, I wish you a happy Earth Day 2023!
If carrying a banner around is not practical for you, take a stand and say what you mean with these reusable environmental stickers, eco-themed temporary tattoos, or Earth Day mini buttons you can wear on your jacket or backpack!
40 best Earth Day quotes, by humans
Quotes on environment conservation
“First thing in the morning you look after yourself, you brush your teeth and wash your face, don’t you? Well, the second thing you must do is to look after the planet.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“The planet is in distress and all of the attention is on Paris Hilton.” – Al Gore
“If this book has a lesson, it is that we are awfully lucky to be here – and by ‘we’ I mean every living thing. To attain any kind of life in this universe of ours appears to be quite an achievement. As humans we are doubly lucky, of course: We enjoy not only the privilege of existence but also the singular ability to appreciate it and even, in a multitude of ways, to make it better. It is a talent we have only barely begun to grasp.” – Bill Bryson
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“If all humans disappeared today, the Earth would start improving tomorrow. If all the ants disappeared today, the Earth would start dying tomorrow.” – David Suzuki
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
“If we surrendered to Earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
Happy Earth Day quotes
“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
„Land really is the best art.” – Andy Warhol
“I thought I was pretty cool until I realized plants can eat sun and poop out air.” – Jim Bugg
“The Earth has music for those who listen.” – William Shakespeare
“The Earth laughs in flowers.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.” – Ernest Hemingway
“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in Being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” – Eckhart Tolle
“The miracle is not to fly in the air or to walk on water, but to walk on the Earth.” – Chinese proverb
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the Earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.” – David Attenborough
More Save Earth quotes
“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard
“Do something. Pay your rent for the privilege of living on this beautiful, blue-green, living Earth.” – Dave Foreman
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw
“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.” – Bill Nye
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
“Avoiding climate breakdown will require cathedral thinking. We must lay the foundation while we may not know exactly how to build the ceiling.” – Greta Thunberg
“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” – Barack Obama
“The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy.” – Joshua Becker
“There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” – Marshall McLuhan
“Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but pictures; kill nothing but time.” – John Kay
“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.” – Jacques Cousteau
“The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.” – Pope John Paul II
The final human contribution to Earth Day messages
“You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder. It is good to remember that the planet is carrying you.” – Vandana Shiva
“You don’t live on Earth, you are passing through.” – Rumi
“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. All things are bound together. All things connect.” – Chief Seattle
“When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money.” – Alanis Obomsawin
“If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.” – Guy McPherson
“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.
“We only get one planet. Humankind must become accountable on a massive scale for the wanton destruction of our collective home. Protecting our future on this planet depends on the conscious evolution of our species.” – Leonardo DiCaprio
“All we have to do is to wake up and change.” – Greta Thunberg
60 best Earth Day slogans, by A.I.
Earth Day wishes, as composed by large language models
“Earth Day: One day to celebrate, 365 days to protect.” – Bard
“Earth Day: Let’s plant the seeds of a better future.” – Bard
“Let’s give Earth a day of rest.” – Bard
“Let’s make Earth Day every day, or else we’ll all be living in a giant garbage can.” – Bard
“Earth Day: The only holiday that matters.” – Bing
“Earth Day: Love it or leave it.” – Bing
“Earth Day: The day when we admit we have a problem and seek help.” – Bing
“Earth Day: The day when we renew our vows with the Earth and promise to do better.” – Bing
“Earth Day: The only day you can get away with being dirty.” – Bing
“It’s time to get Earthy – let’s make every day Earth Day!” – ChatGPT
“Celebrate Earth Day – plant a tree and watch it grow.” – ChatGPT
“Earth Day – let’s all come together for a green-tastic world! – ChatGPT
“Earth Day – because there is no planet B.” – ChatGPT
If you're impressed by the power of text-generating AI, check out the images generated for our guide through the fantastical world of chocolate!
Funny Earth Day quotes, from the mouth of artificial intelligence
“Save the planet, or else I’ll tell your mom.” – Bard
“Save the planet, or else you’ll have to live on Mars.” – Bard
“Earth Day: Let’s do it for the planet, and for the ‘gram.” – Bard
“Earth Day: If you love the Earth, hug a tree. If you hate the Earth, hug a cactus.” – Bing
“Save the Earth, it’s cheaper than therapy.” – Bing
“Save the planet – it’s the only one with good Wi-Fi, and we can’t let that go to waste.” – ChatGPT
“Love the Earth – it’s the only planet with pizza, and that’s worth protecting.” – ChatGPT
“The Earth is our canvas – let’s paint it green, but maybe not with actual paint.” – ChatGPT
“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children – unless you’re talking about student loans, then we might never pay it back.” – ChatGPT
“The Earth is our home – let’s keep it clean and tidy, unless you’re a sloth, then just do your best.” – ChatGPT
“Green up your life – unless you’re a frog, then you’re already doing it right.” – ChatGPT
“Plant a tree, grow a life – unless you’re a beaver, then you might prefer to chop it down.” – ChatGPT
“Don’t be trashy, be classy – unless you’re a raccoon, then trash is pretty much your jam.” – ChatGPT
“Eco-friendly is the way to be – unless you’re a vampire, then solar power might not be your thing.” – ChatGPT
“Reduce, reuse, recycle – unless you’re talking about bad jokes, then you should definitely dispose of those.” – ChatGPT
Earth Day slogans that rhyme
“The Earth is our treasure – let’s keep it clean for our future’s pleasure!” – ChatGPT
“Let’s put the pedal to the metal – it’s time to drive sustainable and settle!” – ChatGPT
“For a better tomorrow, reduce your carbon sorrow.” – ChatGPT
“Earth Day every day, let’s not delay.” – ChatGPT
“Be kind to the Earth, for all it’s worth.” – ChatGPT
“Earth Day: Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” – Bing
“Earth Day: Don’t delay, act today.” – Bing
“Be a green bean, not a has-been.” – Bing
“Don’t be a carbon emitter, be a carbon quitter.” – Bing
“Be a green star, not a green scar.” – Bing
“Be a green warrior, not a green worrier.” – Bing
“Don’t be a land filler, be a land healer.” – Bing
“Don’t be a nature destroyer, be a nature enjoyer.” – Bing
“Earth Day: Don’t be late, participate.” – Bing
(Google’s Bard sadly wasn’t able to produce Earth Day slogans that rhyme.)
More A.I. thoughts on Earth Day
“Save the planet, or else.” – Bard
“It’s not just about saving the planet, it’s about saving our butts.” – Bard
“It’s not just about saving the planet, it’s about saving our future selves, and our future pets, and our future selves’ future pets.” – Bard
“It’s not just about saving the planet, it’s about saving our planet from us.” – Bard
“Let’s make the world a greener place, one leaf at a time.” – Bard
“It’s not too late to make a difference, but it’s getting later, and later, and later.” – Bard
“Plant a tree, plant a hope.” – Bing
“No Earth, no life. Know Earth, know life.” – Bing
“Live simply, so others can simply live.” – Bing
“Earth is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. Don’t spoil it.” – Bing
“Earth is like a bank account, you can’t withdraw more than you deposit. Don’t overdraft it.” – Bing
“Green is the new black, but it never goes out of style.” – ChatGPT
“Don’t be a litter bug, be an Earth hugger.” – ChatGPT
“Go green or go home.” – ChatGPT
“Think globally, act locally, party sustainably.” – ChatGPT
“Protect our planet – unless you’re a superhero, then you might be more interested in protecting the universe.” – ChatGPT
“The Earth is our only home – unless you’re an astronaut, then home is wherever you hang your space helmet.” – ChatGPT
“Love your mother, Earth that is!” – ChatGPT
If you want to know more on future travel trends, check out what artificial intelligence has to say about it!
The best Earth Day captions, quotes and slogans – Conclusion
Since 1970, when Earth Day was initiated by US Senator Gaylord Nelson after a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, humanity had plenty of time to reflect on our impact on the planet, as well as take action to make things better.
Some things progressed, others regressed, but climate change effects are becoming more and more visible. From melting ice caps to raging wildfires, the harsh reality is telling us: We haven’t done enough.
The compilation of Earth Day quotes of great thinkers and witty quips of machines can be more than just words
There might be no time for thinking anymore. Even acting might come with an excessive delay. But like the Chinese would say: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” There’s no point in going through what-if scenarios and dwelling on things we haven’t done.
What can we do going forward? Can we be better stewards of our environment?
Hopefully, the compilation of Earth Day quotes of great thinkers and witty quips of machines, in these times when we want to embrace the future, can be more than just words. Sure, they can serve as captions on your social media or as messages on your rally posters, but they would be the most useful if they managed to motivate you in kickstarting your eco revolution.
If some of these quotes inspired you to make a real change and give your little contribution to the better world of tomorrow, that might be a small step for a man. But it wouldn’t be the first one with the potential of changing the world.
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work! The cover and pin image of this article have been created by Ivan Kralj/Midjourney. The authors of photographs used in quote-images are, in order of appearance, as follows: Plant - Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash Trees - Anastasiya Romanova on Unsplash Pots - Bernard Hermant on Unsplash Turtle - David Troeger on Unsplash Rings - Elisey Vavulin on Unsplash Sloth - Sophia Müller on Unsplash Footprints - Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash Astronaut - NASA on Unsplash
