I'm trying to remember what had me caring about climate change back before many had even heard of it. My geography teachers were inspirational, and my grandparents gave me an ace theological resource I wish I could now locate.
I'm proud that 30 years ago I was asking shopkeepers why they automatically gave a carrier bag and was writing projects on renewable energies. Yet here we are and it's not enough. We all need to be doing more, right now. Some of the steps we're encouraged to consider, like eating less meat, I've long since undertaken. So my next step is to choose less dairy. Someone suggested that now I earn more, I don't have to only shop in charity shops for clothes, yet buying second hand is another important environmental principle for me, so I'll continue with that.
I've noticed that having more money and less time can increase my carbon footprint. When low on energy and spare minutes, it's tempting to jump in the car instead of walk. I've not managed to get to my local farm shop as often so have been buying bread in plastic wrappers when I could have got my bread fresh from there. So far I have managed to continue making soup on a Sunday for my lunches, so that is saving some plastic cartons. But I'm still buying way too many plastic enrobed items.
I want to be intentional in my increased spending rather than use my new disposable income on convenience that costs the planet. Maybe I can save so that my next second hand car could be an electric one? Perhaps I could save up for more solar panels?
And what will it take for more of us to take our responsibility seriously? (*despairs at Trump's response. Again. *)
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