"All Americans need a sense of place. That's what makes our physical surroundings worth caring about"

In this quote, Ed McMahon emphasizes the value of having a connection to our physical environments as Americans. He believes that having a local color is important in making our environment meaningful and worth safeguarding. This could refer to a sense of belonging and accessory to a specific place, whether it be a home town, a neighborhood, or a natural landscape. McMahon recommends that without this local color, we might not feel a strong sense of obligation towards our environments. By acknowledging the worth of our physical environment, we can cultivate a much deeper gratitude and motivation to take care of it.