How Now?

I recently heard a program on public radio about the environment, carbon emissions, and that whole discussion as to whether Ohio will some day be a seacoast state. Sometimes it's difficult to sort out fact from over-reaction.

However, a gentleman called in to ask if it were true, as he had heard, that we could solve the whole global environmental fiasco by changing just one thing, and we wouldn't even have to cease and desist any manufacturing on this planet. The one thing he'd heard about, for an immediate solutions, was for the entire world to go vegetarian. Is he crazy! Actually, the resident "expert" who was fielding questions said that, indeed, he was correct. Getting rid of the mega-meat industries would set things right environmentally.

But then again, there would be a number of people out of work who rely on the popularity of cookouts and those family dinners of meat and potatoes. And do you really think a chain of fast food tofu joints would catch on? Hmmmm.

While discussing this information with some friends we wondered aloud why Al Gore isn't a vegetarian. Come on, Al! We also discussed the need to support local cattle raisers and chicken breeders who engage in sustainable agriculture.

But bottom line, I want my cake and I want to eat it too. Can't I simply change all my light bulbs to the energy efficient models, jump into my car and head for the mall where I can spend a few mindless hours purchasing useless plastic items, and still consider myself one of the good guys when it comes to environmental issue?

It's also been conjectured that we're now raising a generation of children who do not have a life expectancy greater than that of their parents. We're slipping backwards on that score. Seems that the sugar-coated, marshmallow world that we live in combined with our high fat diets are taking their toll.

Light at the end of the tunnel? New Year's Eve is on the way, and with it an opportunity to resolve. Perhaps a resolution to eat one or two vegetarian dinners every week. Vegetarian chili with a lovely, grainy bread is a great winter warmer. Grilled cheese sandwiches made with real cheese and a salad on the side is also pretty good stuff. And best of all, your body and your planet will thank you!