Home / Quotes / Quote by Wangari Maathai

Quote by Wangari Maathai

“An individual citizen cannot protect himself from the powers of large corporations or external governments. It is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens.”

Quote by Wangari Maathai

Author

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan political activist and environmentalist who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Born on April 1, 1940, and passing away on September 25, 2011, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organization dedicated to environmental conservation and women's rights. more

You May Also Like

“Nile perch is a fish that was introduced into Lake Victoria. The reason that fish was introduced into Lake Victoria was because it was decided that the people living near the lake needed more proteins than they were getting.”

People Reason Needed Decided Fishes Lakes Protein Victoria Nile

Author:Wangari Maathai

“Now when Nile perch was introduced [into Lake Victoria], I don't think enough research was done; maybe it was done, maybe it was not. But Nile perch is a huge fish. So it ate all the little fish, and it grew into a monster which the local people could not fish with their little boats and their little nets.”

People Thinking Littles Done Enough Huge Grew Research Fishes Monsters Locals Boat Lakes Victoria Nile

Author:Wangari Maathai

“I think some of these solutions are prepared in an office without a full understanding of the local situation.”

Thinking Understanding Situation Office Solutions Prepared Locals

Author:Wangari Maathai

“So GMOs, who knows? Maybe GMOs will come, they will get maize that produces double. But who knows what else may happen to the maize?”

Knows May Happens Produce Gmos Maize

Author:Wangari Maathai

“As a scientist I cannot say we don't want to hear anything about GMOs, because these are advances in science. But I think its also important, especially when you are dealing with food, to be cautious.”

Thinking Want Important Scientist Cautious Gmos Be Cautious Advances In Science

Author:Wangari Maathai

“I think [GMO] is one area where the is a need for legal regulations to make sure that companies - because at the moment, companies are the ones that have this technology - will not use this technology in a way that could adversely affect the people.”

People Thinking Way Needs Moments Use Company Technology Areas Regulation Gmos

Author:Wangari Maathai

“First of all, farmers should work with universities and research institutions in the country, and hopefully with the government.”

Should Firsts Country Government Research Institutions University Hopefully Farmers

Author:Wangari Maathai

“One of the reasons why I've written The Challenge for Africa is to save it. Surely there are so many problems we can solve in Africa, but first and foremost, we need a government that feels responsible to protect their own people from the exploitations, from the misuse, from the mistreatment that they can easily get.”

People Needs Feels Firsts Reason Problem Government Challenges Written Protect Responsible Solve Reason Why Exploitation Misuse Mistreatment

Author:Wangari Maathai

“There is no reason why a company like Monsanto, for example, that is pushing GMOs, cannot go to Kenya, partner with the university, partner with the research institutions, and try to promote - in a responsible way - advanced techniques to help farmers. But this should be done in such a way that the farmers' livelihoods are not undermined because the government is irresponsible or careless, or because it is compromised.”

“Monsanto will not come empty-handed. Monsanto will come with a big bag of money. And because these governments are poor, when they are shown money for their research institutions, for their universities, for their professors, they are very quick to say yes, and I can tell you that when Monsanto came to Kenya, they were able to be given permission to do research in one of our research institutions, and yet there was not a single law to control such research.”

I Can Bigs Government Able Law Given Poor Research Empty Institutions University Bags Professors Permission Kenya Monsanto

Author:Wangari Maathai