2009: Time to Make a Difference

by Christine McLaughlin

Now that it’s nearly February I’ve decided to share my New Year’s Resolutions with you.

Firstly, I intend to grow something in the garden. I assume this will lower my ecological footprint, although I confess to finding the measuring thereof very befuddling to say the least. I know, of course, that it’s better to go by bike than by car but is it better to go by car than to travel as the only passenger on a double decker bus? Of course the solo bus journey would generate far more CO2 than a car journey, but isn’t it better to put the effort in and travel by public transport in the hope that it will encourage others and create a demand for future services? I digress: back to the potatoes. I’ve decided to grow potatoes in the garden because they seem quite easy – I often find them sprouting in the vegetable rack. I won’t do anything drastic like visiting a garden centre or reading a book or anything. I’m just going to get some potatoes, wait for them to sprout a bit then dig a really deep hole at the bottom of the garden and wait and see what happens.

Next, I’ve decided to look at my diet. I’ve already blogged about the UN report that advised the best thing we can do to tackle climate change is to go vegetarian. This is because farmed animals, in particular cows, produce many tonnes of methane which is far more harmful to the environment than CO2. I’m already vegetarian so I’ve decided to reduce my intake of dairy products.

I decided to cut dairy out completely for the whole of this month; from February I’ll reintroduce a little dairy but I won’t have milk in my coffee any more and I’ll only consume organic dairy.

I often wonder whether my efforts to reduce my ecological footprint really make a difference and I suppose the answer is no, not on their own. We can only make a difference collectively and that’s why it’s so important to vote Green. The Euro elections in May represent an opportunity to stand up and be counted. Don’t waste your vote: time’s running out.