Nature Conservancy chief on why Americans don't like environmentalists: "it does look like we're troublemakers, or against stuff. We're not realistic. We're insensitive to the need for economic growth and jobs. We lecture. We criticize. Those are not qualities that people like. It's not that obvious that we're helping anyone"

Dumb Question: Is Environmentalism Annoying? - Bloomberg

DQ: Why do you think Americans don’t like environmentalists?

Mark Tercek [Nature Conservancy chief]: I don't think people like to be told what to do or to be criticized. I know I don't like it. And environmentalists, we kind of preach. Our choir likes it, or they agree with us. And it's not like we're wrong. We're probably often right. But that preachy tone...
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I came from Cleveland, Ohio. Most people in Cleveland, Ohio, don't like environmentalists. Why? Because it does look like we're troublemakers, or against stuff. We're not realistic. We're insensitive to the need for economic growth and jobs. We lecture. We criticize. Those are not qualities that people like. It's not that obvious that we're helping anyone.