Robert Kennedy, Jr. Quotes

Powerful Robert Kennedy, Jr. for Daily Growth

About Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., born on January 17, 1954, is an American attorney, environmental activist, and political commentator, best known for his work as a staunch advocate for the environment and public health. The son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, he was raised amidst the political powerhouse of the Kennedy family, which no doubt influenced his future endeavors. Kennedy Jr. attended Harvard University, graduating cum laude in 1978 with a degree in Political Science. He then went on to attend the University of Virginia School of Law, where he graduated in 1984. Following his education, Kennedy Jr. began practicing law in Massachusetts and New York, focusing primarily on environmental law. In 1986, Kennedy Jr. founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting water resources around the globe. His work with this organization has earned him numerous awards and recognition for his efforts in environmental activism. Kennedy Jr.'s book "Crimes Against Nature," published in 2004, is one of his most notable works. In it, he explores the impact of corporations on the environment and the erosion of federal laws meant to protect it. His more recent book, "Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon: The Battle for the Heart of the World," published in 2015, delves into the devastating impact of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Kennedy Jr.'s quotes often reflect his passion for environmental activism and his critical stance towards corporations and governments that prioritize profit over the environment. One famous quote is, "We have become the first generation that can actually see our own extinction through our own behavior." His work continues to inspire and mobilize individuals and communities to take action in protecting the environment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The planet is not our creation; we are its stewards."

This quote emphasizes that humans are merely caretakers or stewards of the Earth, not its creators. It implies a moral and ethical responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. The planet has existed long before us, and it will continue to thrive long after we are gone. This perspective encourages sustainability, environmental conservation, and thoughtful decision-making in our interactions with nature.


"We've got to realize that we can't do it alone. We can't solve climate change in just one country. It requires an international agreement."

This quote by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. underscores the global nature of climate change, a challenge that transcends national boundaries. He emphasizes that no single nation can tackle this problem alone; instead, it demands collective action and international cooperation. The implication is that fighting climate change requires a global consensus and agreement on strategies to mitigate its impacts and prevent further damage to our planet.


"It's a dangerous thing to build a public policy on fear, to denigrate your opponents, and to appeal to base emotions."

This quote by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. emphasizes the potential harm of crafting policies based on fear, negative attitudes towards opposing viewpoints, and appealing to primitive emotions rather than reason. Such an approach can lead to uninformed decisions, polarization in society, and a lack of constructive dialogue or compromise. Instead, it suggests that public policy should be guided by understanding, empathy, and a pursuit of the common good for all citizens.


"The corporate state has captured our government; they have rigged the system."

This quote by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reflects a concern that powerful corporations have infiltrated and influenced the functioning of the U.S. government to an extent where it no longer represents the interests of its citizens. He suggests that these corporations have manipulated the system to their advantage, effectively subverting democracy in favor of corporate gains. This statement highlights the tension between corporate power and democratic principles, often raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the role of money in politics.


"We are the first generation with the power to end poverty, reverse climate change, and prevent pandemics – but we must act now."

The quote highlights the unique position that current generations hold in human history due to our technological advancements and understanding of global issues. Robert Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that we possess the capabilities to tackle three critical challenges: eradicating poverty, addressing climate change, and preventing pandemics. However, he underscores the importance of immediate action, as time is of the essence if we are to make a lasting impact and ensure a sustainable future for all generations to come.


Water keepers patrol local waterways and prosecute polluters. Essentially, they act as the community's coast guard.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Community, Water, Guard, Patrol

If you work hard at anything, you're going to experience some success. And the greatest gift is when you have something you really love to do and you can integrate that into your work life. I feel like it's a real privilege that I get to do something that is good for my community and good for the world. But it's also pleasurable for me.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Love, Gift, Some, Integrate

PBS was not a left-wing ideology. I mean, Air America was, but PBS was not. But anybody who tells the truth is now branded and marginalized. The devolution of the American press began in 1986 when Ronald Reagan abolished the fairness doctrine.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Left-Wing, PBS, Reagan, Marginalized

Obama came in really wanting to change things, but he hit a wall of corporate money, oil and coal money: when he tried to pass the Cap and Trade system of pharmaceutical money, when he tried to pass the Obamacare - which, of course, then got watered down into a much less effective, much less economical, program.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Pharmaceutical, Wanting, Obamacare

Democracy is about institutions: it's about having things like schools and judiciary and the Ford Foundation, or 'The Nation' magazine - you need progressive institutions, you know what I mean? Those are important institutions to make sure that the government functions.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Nation, About, Functions, Progressive

I'm very pro vaccine. I get all six of my kids vaccinated. I believe vaccines save millions of lives, and people ought to be getting vaccinated.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Six, Very, Lives, Vaccine

Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that was in many American vaccines until 2003. It was removed from many of the pediatric vaccines, but it was put in the flu vaccine, which is now given to 53 million Americans.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Vaccines, Which, Given, Vaccine

There were a lot of years that I was trying to do things that other people wanted me to do. But you have to follow your heart. Believe that you have a unique group of talents and abilities that are going to allow you to accomplish something in an area that interests you. Work at that and try to make some kind of contribution to your community.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Some, Other, Allow, Group

Lots of countries, like Israel, live with terrorism every day, and it doesn't impact their integrity. The big threat to America is the way we react to terrorism by throwing away what everybody values about our country - a commitment to human rights. America is a great nation because we are a good nation.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Big, Country, Everybody, Great Nation

I'm comfortable reading science and dissecting it and discerning the difference between junk science and real science.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Comfortable, Discerning, Dissecting

When my father started talking about strip mining in the Appalachia back in the '60s, I remember a conversation I had with him where he said, you know, this is the richest state in the country if you look at the resources and the land, but the poorest people after the state of Mississippi: the 49th poorest people in the country.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Father, Country, I Remember, Richest

I have the kind of life where I can take my kids on trips with me. I can involve them in my work. I've always avoided politics because I didn't want to make commitments that would take me away from raising these children.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Life, Politics, Away, Trips

In 1932, the predecessor organization, the CDC, took 299 black sharecroppers from the South who had syphilis. They offered them free healthcare, hot lunches, and free burial. They said you can only come to us for healthcare. These were men who were sharecroppers, and they had syphilis. They were never told they had syphilis.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Had, South, Predecessor, Burial

There is abundant science out there that connects mercury exposure in vaccines to not only autism, but to ASD, to SIDS, to ADD, ADHD, language tics - which is like Tourette Syndrome - OCD, asthma, food allergies, and diabetes.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Add, Which, Abundant, Diabetes

Our landscapes connect us to our history; they are the source of our character as a peopl, as well as our health, our safety, and our prosperity. Natural resources enrich us economically, yes. But they also enrich us aesthetically and recreationally and culturally and spiritually.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Natural, Yes, Landscapes, Natural Resources

A lot of life is about trying to turn bad experiences into something good. Usually if you work at it, you can figure out a way to do it. Even our worst misfortunes are gifts.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Bad, Misfortunes, Figure, Something Good

My father thought of America as the last best hope for humanity. He believed we had a historical mission to be a paragon to the rest of the world, to be about what human beings can accomplish if they work together and maintain their focus.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Father, Thought, Maintain, Work Together

When I was 7 years old, I announced that I was going to write a book about pollution. I didn't get around to it until I was 29, but I always recognized that pollution was a theft. That it was a way of stealing something from the public - the common earth.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Book, Recognized, About, Announced

I think global warming is the gravest threat. With global warming, it's the product of a war between old energy - between the carbon cronies, who, by the way, could not stay in business in a true free market capitalism.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Free Market, I Think, Global, Carbon

I always saw pollution as theft, and I always thought, 'Why should somebody be able to pollute the air, which belongs to all of us, or destroy a river or a waterway, which is supposed to belong to the whole community?'

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Always, Belong, Which, Theft

I always knew that I was going be an environmental advocate when I was very young.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Environmental, Always, Very, Advocate

Democracy is messy, and it's hard. It's never easy.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Democracy, Never, Hard, Easy

At the time of the Civil War, there were six democracies in the face of the planet. Today, there's 120 and they've been inspired by the American exceptionalism.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Civil War, Been, Six, Civil

We have very strong environmental laws in the United States and elsewhere around the world. The problem is that they're seldom enforced.

- Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Strong, United States, Very, Elsewhere

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.