Snail's pace
One of my fellow trustees on the refugee support group, Maggie, organised a lovely lunch in her garden as a social event for us. It was useful to spend time together in a non-board meeting setting, realising we can get along very smoothly where there aren't critical decisions to make or compromises to reach. The day wasn't without some fraught exchanges but it was a hell of a lot more relaxing than our usual gatherings.
I helped my friend Hannah water her parents' garden in the early evening, and a bush near her car was ramjammed full of snails. It reminded us of our dear colleague and friend Tony who died last year and who loved championing snails and other overlooked critters.
For a conservationist, I've never really explored vegetarianism or veganism for myself, or armed myself with too many facts about the environmental arguments in favour of moving towards these diets. The welfare arguments are better understood, although those issues are not closely related to the conservation work I do, and with brains being able to absorb a limited amount of key causes, I am more moved by social justice and rights than battery farms.
However a couple of recent articles on the environmental impact of consuming meat and dairy have resonated strongly so I'm starting to think about choices and ingredients to see whether I can adapt my diet. Most of the projects I work on overseas experience issues of forest encroachment for livestock, so it does seem sensible that I would be cognisant of this direct linkage. However, I also do bloody love a huge bowlful of creamy yogurt. So, baby-steps required.
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