It is overwhelming. Sometimes it is paralyzing. The challenge of maximizing your individual part to most effectively reduce your carbon footprint to combat climate change feels overwhelming; especially in the developed world, where too much consumption is so commonplace.

In an effort to have an impact, we live in a built-green, solar-paneled house; xeriscaped our front and back yards to reduce water consumption; use responsible investment vehicles like DSI and CHGX exchange traded funds; use the light rail when able and other small efforts. I know it is not enough. We still do not have an electric car and still live in the protected bubble of suburbia, with its overfilled weekly garbage containers…

For us, we have settled on a concept of reduced consumption as a way to cope and do more. And, since diet is an important component, we found the “reducetarian” fit this approach well! Fundamentally it seeks to reduce the amount of animal proteins consumed, but does not completely eliminate animal proteins from the diet. We eat meat a couple of times each week, but try to round out with other options. Our dietary exploration has motivated creative choices from Asian and Middle Eastern cultures and cuisines.

I know this might be a rationalization, but it feels like a strategy that can lead to some balance.

When I was a head college coach, I inherited a team that had not been good for a long time. At the first halftime speech, I threw out the “even the longest journey begins with a single step” idiom to emphasize the growth and the future path for the team. With the reducetarian approach, I feel like the journey has a better chance for success.

Challenge accepted. Do what you can do, but do something. Climate change is one of the first pillars for CoPeace PBC. Grow your money for good.