The May 14 article “Net Zero Sudbury: what you choose to put on your plate can shrink your carbon footprint” stuck with me long after I finished reading it.
It’s not so much that I did not know about the importance of eating less meat if we are to succeed in keeping this planet liveable. It’s that it made me think about how deeply personal climate change can be. I thought about how many plant-based meals I had had over the last month, and I wish I could report a higher number.
So I did what I can do.
I rummaged through my pantry, took out the can opener, and concocted a yummy chickpea, corn, carrot and artichoke salad. So satisfying. It filled me up with the satisfaction of knowing that even I can make seemingly tiny, yet impactful choices.
Added up to my other personal choices, to others’ choices over decades, together these decisions can make a remarkable difference in the likelihood of humans having to face hundreds of years of economic and social unrest.
I know that we need to make other huge changes in how we live starting with shifting as quickly as possible away from fossil fuels. That’s why I support energy-efficiency regulations and a price on carbon with the proceeds returned to every household. Both are proven winners.
I am glad, though, that I read this article. It’s always a good thing to be reminded of the very concrete, very personal, ways I can make a difference.
I look forward to more writings that underscore the power and value of personal choices.
Carole Lavallee, Chelmsford