“The world has not yet reached the point which, in my view, is an essential condition for the survival of our human species: access by all the peoples to the material resources of this planet.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“The world has not yet reached the point which, in my view, is an essential condition for the survival of our human species: access by all the peoples to the material resources of this planet.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Fidel Castro’s global vision of justice and sustainability, emphasizing that equitable access to the Earth’s resources is not only a moral imperative but a precondition for the continued survival of humanity. By stating that the world has “not yet reached the point” of such equity, he highlights the deep inequalities that define the global system—where wealth, technology, food, and energy are often concentrated in the hands of a few nations, while much of the world struggles with scarcity and deprivation.
Historically, Castro was a vocal critic of neocolonial economic structures and global capitalism, which he believed enabled a small number of countries—particularly in the West—to exploit the natural and human resources of the Global South. He consistently linked issues of poverty, war, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment to this imbalance, and argued that true peace and progress could only come through redistribution and solidarity among nations.
In today’s context, the quote remains deeply relevant in light of ongoing debates about climate justice, global inequality, and resource sustainability. From access to clean water and food to energy and healthcare, disparities remain stark. Castro’s statement challenges us to confront the global systems that prioritize profit over people, and to recognize that without universal access to life-sustaining resources, the future of the planet and its people remains in jeopardy. His words are a call for a just global order where survival is not a privilege, but a shared right.
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