What, then, can be done? Here are just a few simple suggestions:
The Yellow-Brick Road to Plant-Based Possibilities he term “living mindfully” is thrown around a lot. Nonetheless, at a time when to start with all of us experienced what it means to have no control over a situation (i.e. the pandemic), to exert control, to exhibit what little power we do have in enacting change for the good of the planet seems a painfully obvious action or call to action. And food activism, conscious consumption, is as simple as it gets when it comes to helping Earth and all its creatures. To lay down one’s fork, say no to the bacon (and who else gets queasy at the thought, as The Guardian reported back in 2019, that those pigs’ organs will be able to be successfully transplanted into humans by next year?), is a small gesture, but the more people who do it, then the further afield the aftereffects of that ripple motion of repulsion will be felt and endure.
1
Think Reusable
Globally, humans power through 1 million plastic bottles each and every minute. Stop now. Not only does a stainless-steel water bottle, an organic cotton tote bag, or reusable travel cup reduce the need for a single-use plastic vessel, but in the long-run you’ll save money as well.
2
Say No to & Minimise Plastic
If what you need to buy can’t be bought without plastic packaging, if zero waste isn’t yet a possibility for you (see our article, “Zero Waste: Where Are We Now?”, p.54), (a) try to buy a product that has recyclable plastic packaging or (b) buy in bulk. If, as the BBC reported back in March, Waitrose & Partners can be inspired by a 10-year old eco-activist and henceforth refuse to sell children’s magazines with disposable plastic toys, you can enact this change.
3
Get Political
Sign petitions, write to your local representatives, and support those candidates who demonstrate commitment to implementing environmentally beneficial principles. 18
justnaturalhealth.co.uk | Just Natural Health & Beauty
While companies debate over the correct terminology of laudable laboratory-based meat production (Vegconomist reporting that “cellcultured” has become the term for US lab-grown animal flesh), and while the European Union recently invested 2.7 million euros into the Spanish “Meat4All” project, on the more distinctly plant-based end of the spectrum, a new burger from the Netherlands has been made from seaweed. The Dutch Weed Burger (no, not that kind of weed) provides a sustainable alternative protein source, being fast-growing and needing no fertilisers or fresh water. Founded by Mark Kulsom and Lisette Kreischer (author of Man Eat Plant, a guide to vegan food for men, and Dog Eat Plant – do we need explain the latter?), the Dutch Weed Burger contains three different types of seaweed: kombu (for the patty), sea lettuce (for the sauce), and chlorella (for the bun).
