Tom Steyer Quotes

Powerful Tom Steyer for Daily Growth

About Tom Steyer

Tom Steyer is an American philanthropist, businessman, and environmentalist who has made significant contributions to political activism and climate change awareness. Born on June 27, 1957, in New York City, he grew up in a middle-class Jewish family with a strong social conscience. His parents instilled in him the importance of community service and civic engagement from an early age. Steyer's career began in finance, working as a partner at the investment firm, Hellman & Friedman. However, his passion for activism led him to co-found Farallon Capital Management, a San Francisco-based private equity firm. In 2012, he decided to retire from the business world to dedicate himself fully to environmental and political causes. One of Steyer's most significant contributions is the founding of NextGen America, a nonprofit organization that aims to encourage young people to participate in politics and advocates for progressive policies. He is also known for his efforts to combat climate change through Need to Impeach, an initiative he launched in 2017 to advocate for the impeachment of President Donald Trump over allegations of obstruction of justice. Steyer's political activism led him to consider a run for political office. In 2018, he announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for California Governor, but withdrew from the race in September 2018. Despite not holding elected office, Steyer's influence remains substantial. His work continues to inspire young activists and drive conversations on critical issues such as climate change, economic justice, and political reform. Quotes by Tom Steyer reflect his strong convictions and passion for activism: "Every single one of us has a moral responsibility to act when we see injustice." And "The future is ours for the making, but only if we fight for it." His life and work serve as an example of dedication and commitment to causes that matter.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We can't wait for our politicians to act on climate change – we have to act ourselves."

The quote underscores a sense of urgency and responsibility regarding climate change, emphasizing that waiting for political action might not be sufficient or timely enough. It encourages individuals to take personal initiative in addressing this global issue, suggesting that every person has a role to play in making a positive impact on the environment.


"The biggest barrier to progress is inaction."

Tom Steyer's quote underscores that procrastination or inaction hinders advancement and progress. It emphasizes the importance of taking decisive action to drive change, growth, and improvement in any aspect of life, be it personal or societal. A passive approach will only lead to stagnation, making it crucial to act when faced with opportunities for development.


"If we don't fight for what we believe in, who will?"

This quote from Tom Steyer emphasizes personal responsibility in standing up for one's beliefs. It suggests that if individuals do not actively advocate for their values, convictions, or causes, then there may be no one else to do so. The message encourages proactive engagement, implying that apathy and silence can lead to the perpetuation of undesirable circumstances. In other words, it's important to take action in support of what we care about, as our inaction might result in someone else making decisions that contradict our values.


"The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create."

Tom Steyer's quote emphasizes that our actions today shape tomorrow. It suggests that rather than passively accepting a predetermined destiny, we actively participate in shaping the future through our decisions, choices, and actions. This perspective encourages proactivity, responsibility, and empowerment in individuals and communities to bring about positive change for a desired future.


"When it comes to climate change, we can't wait for Washington. We need to act now, and we need to act together."

Tom Steyer's quote underscores the urgency and collective responsibility regarding climate change. It suggests that decisive action is required immediately, as delaying solutions risks exacerbating the impacts of climate change. Since Washington D.C., or other governmental bodies, may not be taking swift enough action, it falls upon individuals, communities, and societies to collaborate and take local initiatives to combat climate change on their own terms. The phrase "act together" emphasizes the importance of unity, cooperation, and solidarity in addressing this global issue, as no single entity can effectively combat climate change alone.


Renewable energy is a clear winner when it comes to boosting the economy and creating jobs.

- Tom Steyer

Clear, Jobs, Renewable, Winner

Californians like to spend a lot of time talking about how great our state is, but the truth is that we have learned and executed a very important lesson: if we want to win on issues as critical as climate change - if we want to lead - we absolutely have to stand together.

- Tom Steyer

Critical, Very, Californians, Executed

The truth is that transitioning to clean energy like wind and solar will create millions of new, good jobs that can't be outsourced, and spur economic growth - all while avoiding the inevitable, significant damages our economy will suffer should we keep building more pipelines.

- Tom Steyer

Solar, Damages, While, Good Jobs

Investing in more fossil fuel infrastructure will not strengthen our economy over the long-term, since the market is clearly indicating that clean energy sources are the future.

- Tom Steyer

Over, Clean Energy, Sources, Fossil Fuel

We need to ask elected officials supporting Keystone XL whether they're willing to put their constituents and our environment at risk so that foreign oil tycoons get a better return on their tar sands investments. Keystone XL backers will keep trying to sell us a sucker's deal; it's up to us to say no.

- Tom Steyer

Deal, Willing, Investments, Sucker

We will pay a heavy price if we insist on navigating the 21st century with a 20th century mindset.

- Tom Steyer

Mindset, Will, Pay, Insist

As a Californian, I feel lucky to live in what is truly the Golden State - a place of sunshine, agricultural bounty, natural beauty, technological innovation, and boundless optimism.

- Tom Steyer

Innovation, Lucky, Natural, Boundless

In American politics, the deepest rivalry is between the rational world and the right wing of the GOP, who are increasingly marginalized in their view that America cannot take on the big challenges.

- Tom Steyer

Politics, Big, Increasingly, Marginalized

With many serious challenges facing our country - pressing issues like climate change, income inequality, and education - Trump has expressed neither the inclination nor the ability to take on these problems.

- Tom Steyer

Country, Income, Trump, Pressing

Our message to leaders from every continent was simple: California has succeeded on climate and clean energy because we've emphasized local, human values and built a coalition that includes community and environmental leaders, working families, and communities of color - as well as unions and progressive business.

- Tom Steyer

Color, Values, Continent, Progressive

Voting is our right, but it is also our responsibility because if we don't take the next step and elect leaders who are committed to building a better future for our kids, other rights - our rights to clean air, clean water, health, and prosperity - are placed directly in harm's way.

- Tom Steyer

Next, Other, Placed, Directly

Clarity of vision is the key to achieving your objectives.

- Tom Steyer

Vision, Achieving, Clarity, Objectives

On the path to a low-carbon, clean-energy future, we need cleaner, non-intermittent sources of power that will allow us to keep the lights on when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.

- Tom Steyer

Need, Allow, Sources, Shining

Republicans like to accuse Democrats of trying to 'pick winners and losers.' They say we should run government 'like a business' and let 'the market' decide important matters. When it comes to the declining fortunes of dirty fuels like coal, however, they quickly they abandon these principles.

- Tom Steyer

Republicans, However, Accuse, Fortunes

As a businessman, Trump preyed on the hopes and anxieties of struggling middle-class families. He cheated and scammed employees and customers alike. He left behind a trail of bankrupted companies. Past is prologue, and Trump has continued to pursue his own aggrandizement ruthlessly and relentlessly as a candidate and as president-elect.

- Tom Steyer

Behind, Own, Trump, Anxieties

Donald Trump's crass charms are apparently very limited - historically so, if polling is any indication.

- Tom Steyer

Trump, Very, Donald, Polling

I am a true believer that we have to change the way we generate and consume energy in the United States.

- Tom Steyer

United, United States, Generate

If we are to candidly and comprehensively address climate change - which I believe is the true crisis of our time - we must find new ways to generate energy and fuel.

- Tom Steyer

Believe, Fuel, Our, Generate

I know there are five stages of grief, but my parents raised me to pull up my socks when times get tough.

- Tom Steyer

Tough, Socks, Raised, Stages

Tragically, no industry has done more to block crucial action to address climate change than the oil industry.

- Tom Steyer

More, Oil Industry, Address, Block

Since the Reagan era, Republicans have prescribed cuts for rich people and corporations as a cure-all. But every time they put their theory into practice, the rich just get richer, and everyone else gets left behind.

- Tom Steyer

Practice, Behind, Reagan, Richer

Though much about Donald Trump is chaotic and unpredictable, his overall agenda as a businessman and politician is clear and consistent: He wants to make himself more powerful, and he doesn't care how he does it.

- Tom Steyer

Trump, About, Donald, Chaotic

Violence never solves problems. It may cover them up temporarily because of the fear it is intended to inspire, but it is part of a cycle, not the end of a cycle.

- Tom Steyer

May, Part, Them, Temporarily

Trump's vitriol attracts large crowds and may even win him the Republican presidential nomination but dishonors our best traditions. It spits in the face of every protection and opportunity our Constitution promises.

- Tom Steyer

Constitution, Trump, Large, Attracts

When an oil company executive tells American families that we don't need to be concerned with tar sands pipeline safety, it's not only misleading, it's insulting.

- Tom Steyer

Need, Concerned, Tar

Tar sands oil is dirtier, more corrosive, and worse for the environment than conventional oil.

- Tom Steyer

Environment, Oil, Corrosive, Tar

Here's the truth: Keystone XL won't make America energy-independent. It will threaten our land and livelihoods to pump Canadian tar sands' heavy crude through America and out to foreign countries, like China.

- Tom Steyer

Through, Here, Canadian, Tar

Demanding that our leaders take action on climate change is about a lot more than polar bears and ice caps; it's about safeguarding our health, preserving our prosperity, and protecting the future of our children.

- Tom Steyer

More, Polar, Protecting, Caps

In the presidential debates back in 2008 and 2012, the candidates clearly didn't know how to make climate change resonate with voters - if they mentioned it at all.

- Tom Steyer

Change, Back, Voters, Debates

As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to 'fix the rigged system.' By 'fix,' he apparently meant rigging it to permanently benefit billionaires like himself.

- Tom Steyer

Trump, Meant, Donald, Presidential

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