May 24, 2010
Denise Simmons, Corporate Chef

I admit it…..I’m a true, died in the wool, tree hugging hippy.  I believe in global warming. I believe factory farming hurts the environment and the animals (including us).  I believe that if I choose to not eat meat one day a week, I’m decreasing my carbon footprint and I’m doing my heart a favor.  I believe that reducing, reusing and recycling are the only responsible waste management systems.  I believe that chefs have a responsibility to respect food and to educate and feed the soul as well as the belly.

Today, I want to believe that all people are finally coming to grips with this --- that we agree we need to be better stewards of our natural resources and we’re committed to taking steps right now.  Everywhere I go, I see articles relating to sustainability.  Entire communities composting and reducing their daily landfill deposits from the size of a fully loaded locomotive to zero.  Local produce, meats & dairy readily available to everyone.  High profile chefs going meatless in their own restaurants one day a week.   Despite all of this, it doesn’t seem we are there yet. I fear a few “fringe” hippies are making a lot of noise and their volume is being mistaken for unison of everyman.

It’s hard for me to fathom that there are people who believe we can keep on keeping on as we always have, and still leave a planet suitable for future generations.  But, there are.  And, unfortunately, on this issue, intelligence and wealth don’t seem to make a difference in behavior.  The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is wreaking unimaginable havoc on our environment and our food supply – and the end is not yet in sight.  If you’re drilling for oil in the ocean, don’t you think you should have a plan for dealing with a leak – or maybe a blowout?  Some reports say BP could have provided a back up containment apparatus, similar to what was used on rigs hit by Katrina, but chose not to because of cost.   Is that hard to swallow given they reported record, billion-dollar profits last quarter?  Choices like this dishearten those trying to ‘do the right’ thing each day, even when that may involve sacrifice.   By holding corporations fully responsible when avoidable and calculable disasters occur, we turn ‘doing the right thing’ into a prerequisite for survival and for making a profit. 

Maybe this tragedy will be the tipping point to sensibilities:  better judgment, alternative methods, less consuming.   We’ve got to come to terms with our addiction to things that require oil.  How many tree huggers out there agree that the cost of not doing so is simply too high?

Poster design by: Veronika Schmidt

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