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Save the planet, one choice at a time

» Every little contribution makes a difference

Caroline Ho
Assistant Editor

 

[res effort can and does make
an impact when it comes to saving the
planet.

Yes, the giant, evil corporations are
far larger contributors to the problems
of pollution and resource depletion. Yes,

a broader systemic change is needed to
restructure humanity’s relationship to the
Earth. However, we're not going to get there
if we dont even try on an individual level.

I’m not saying you should feel guilty
for not single-handedly overthrowing
these multinational corporations. You
shouldnt feel personally responsible for
the slow and steady suffocation of the
planet. You should feel bad every time you
buy individually-wrapped items because
they’re 10 cents cheaper, or every time you
throw something recyclable in the garbage
because the recycling bin is too far away to
bother.

Ina lot of instances, the cost for
opting to go the greener route is very low.
There are so many tiny things you can do
to reduce your ecological footprint, most
of which are not that hard. For example,
remembering to bring a reusable produce
bag instead of picking up another plastic
one, or keeping the heat two degrees lower
and just throwing on another sweater
instead—these take comparatively minimal
effort and cause minimal inconvenience to
your life.

Anecdotally, I once asked someone
why they chose to throw a fruit peel
into the garbage instead of the compost
bin right beside it, and they responded

You shouldn't
force restrictive
diets on children

» Veganism is not
for babies

Jessica Berget
Opinions Editor

 

here is a disturbing trend of people
forcing veganism on others. Dogs, cats,
and now even babies are being thrust into
this diet.
While it may be for a good cause,
or their hearts are in the right place,
it’s difficult to properly nourish a child
with such a restrictive diet and has the
potential to lead to health problems if done
incorrectly. Without proper nourishment,
children can develop neurological
problems and growth problems, as well as
suffer from inadequate energy intake. If
you ask me, it’s just not worth the risk.
Veganism should be a choice, not
something forced onto others—especially
those who cannot decide for themselves.

that they were “too lazy.’ If this is your
reasoning, I invite you reevaluate how
much you really value that pittance of time
or that marginal level of comfort.

Some eco-friendly choices are of
course a lot more of acommitment, such as
going vegan or installing solar panels onto
your roof. I understand that not everyone
is capable of such a lifestyle change, but
that doesn’t mean you shouldn't trim the
waste-generating, resource-consuming fat
where you can. It’s not an all-or-nothing
situation; you don't have to be a hardcore
“environmentalist” to make some relatively
painless, pro-environment choices.

Another, perhaps more compelling
excuse I've heard is that individual
contributions hardly matter, that our
best individual efforts are just the
teensiest drop in the ocean of capitalistic,
environmentally exploitative greed that is
giant corporate waste. However, according
to the Conference Board of Canada, in
2012 Canadians generated an average
of 720 kilograms of waste annually per
capita. Even though residential waste
makes up only about 38 percent of the
total—with the rest produced by non-
residential sources such as industrial and
commercial activity—that still adds up to
three-quarters of a kilogram of waste per
person every day. To me that still sounds
like a lot of garbage that we're generating
individually and that we can cut down on.

Your own choices may still pale in
comparison to the grand scheme of things
but collectively, we can make a huge
difference. What better way to spread the
mindset of environmental consciousness
than through actions like recycling and

 

People can choose for themselves if they
wish to be vegan, but they shouldn’t be
allowed to decide this for other living
things, especially young children.
Furthermore, I don’t think it’s right to
impose your views or preferences onto
children who don’t know any better,
regardless of whether or not it’s beneficial
to the planet. What if the child grows up
and decides they want to eat meat, but
faces medical issues because their body
isn't used to it? This restrictive diet can lead
to serious health and digestive problems in
the future. It might be good for the planet,
but it’s not good for your baby.

While it is possible to raise a baby
vegan, there are serious consequences
for parents who don't adequately nourish
their children. Babies need the nutrients
and vitamins that they get from meat
and dairy products. Iron, zinc, calcium,

 

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M opinions@theotherpress.ca

buying the biodegradable option? On
a small-scale level, your actions can
influence others in subconscious ways.
Your deliberate choice to bring your own
reusable container to a restaurant, instead
of resorting to foam take-out boxes, may
well inspire someone else who had never
considered the possibility. Explaining to
someone why you take short showers may
cause them to think twice next time they
go to do the same. Every action helps to
normalize a mentality of sustainability—a
mentality we need if we're going to change
patterns of consumption on a larger level.
If enough of us go for the greener
options, we can collectively send a signal
to politicians and businesses about our
desires. Each of us alone may not affect
aggregate consumer demand but we do

Vitamin D, and Vitamin B-12 are essential
for a child’s development. Vitamin B-12

is especially vital because a lack of it can
result in neurological issues. Sure, you can
get these vitamins and supplements from
other foods, but it’s a complicated and
risky, especially for a young child. A poorly-
managed vegan diet with children can lead
to malnourishment, health problems, or
even death.

Some parents who have decided to
raise their children vegan have found out
the hard way that there is more to it than
feeding your child berries and vegetables.
Many cases of child endangerment and
neglect have arisen with parents who raise
their kids vegan but do not adequately feed
them. In fact, this was such a problem in
Italy they proposed the “Savino law,’ which
makes it illegal for parents to force the diet
onto kids.

e Save the planet, one choice at a time
¢ Don't force restrictive diets on children
¢ No meat mentality is unrealistic

..and more!

   

Photo by Billy Bui

affect the people around us, who in turn
affect the people around them, which in
turn puts pressure on governments and
businesses to provide more eco-friendly
options and infrastructure.

Please don’t think that your efforts
don't change anything or that they’re not
worth your time and energy. Everything
matters, and nothing is too small. The
attitude of “T can’t make an impact” spreads
a mindset of apathy and implies to others
that you don't care enough to even take a
few small, low-cost steps. Plus, if nothing
else, holding onto the idea that my effort
matters keeps your spirits up—and
that optimism is what drives us to keep
innovating for a greener future.

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Of course, this doesn’t speak to all
vegan parents. There are some who do
take special precaution to nourish their
children with the essential vitamins and
supplements. Vegan diets are possible for
young kids, so long as you take extra care
and get your child all the supplements they
need to grow up healthy. However, I think
it’s too great of a risk of long-term health
and neurological issues to justify this
practice or to make it commonplace.

Before forcing your lifestyle choices
ona child, please be aware of the risks of
making them grow up vegan, and make
sure your children are getting the necessary
supplements that they need to grow into
healthy, happy people. Or, on the other
hand, let them eat meat or dairy products
once ina while. It’s good for them.