Letters: Food for thought

Change diet, help the Earth

With scorching heat and raging wildfires in the West and torrential downpours and massive flooding in the East, global warming isn’t about a gentle sea rise any more. These consequences of dumping greenhouse gases into our atmosphere call for drastic remedies.

We should re-join the Paris climate pact and become a world leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most effective ways is by changing our diet.

Last fall, Oxford University's Food Climate Research Network concluded that solving global warming requires a massive shift to a plant-based diet. A 2010 United Nations report blamed animal agriculture for 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, 70 percent of freshwater use and 38 percent of land use.

In an environmentally sustainable world, we must replace meat and dairy products in our diet with vegetables, fruits, and grains, just as we replace fossil fuels by wind, solar and other pollution-free energy sources.

Local markets gems

As manager for the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market, I observe the important role of local farmers’ markets. Customers often develop lasting relationships at the market. They know that they’re getting exceptional foods and helping the environment by buying local.

Kentucky farmers’ markets also support senior citizen and WIC benefit recipients through a Double Dollars program. Information is available through county offices administering supplemental assistance programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture identifies 8,687 farmers’ markets across America. What distinguishes the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market from others is the fact that these farmers only sell what they produce. All vendors are Kentucky Proud, and collectively offer fresh produce, beef, flowers, herbs, bakery items, cheese, jellies, jams, salsa, and barbeque sauces – even locally produced soaps and lotions with all natural ingredients.

The pet-friendly markets are held on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. Check www.bluegrassfarmersmarket.org/ for times and locations.

City aids strays

Our local Animal Care and Control takes its job seriously to help owners reunite with lost pets. The center doesn’t collect animals for a short period of time only to kill them. One night, after trying for many days to catch my indoor cat, I found a stray cat on my porch. The Animal Care and Control workers checked the stray for identification and health conditions. With no information, the cat was neutered, a slight infection treated and released to where he had been found.

I am still trying to bring home my cat, and as a last resort set out a capture cage on my porch. A woman snuck onto my porch and stole the cage to prevent any captured animal from being killed at the “pound.” Using a cage is not illegal and is considered humane by any animal center, while that woman’s action was a crime.

Your slip is showing

Really? The University of Kentucky is a "2018 Great College to Work for," as seen on a banner, no less, on a full page in the Herald-Leader

Obviously, being awarded the title of great college for which to work does not require proper English grammar for either the recipient or the grantor.

Think before judging

When faced with a mob threatening to stone a prostitute, Christ intervened and said: “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Perhaps this sentiment might be applied to contemporary puritans demanding the heads of those they find guilty of past transgressions, judged by current standards. How many, I wonder, of today's Pharisees would stoop to pick up a stone? I know I would have to think twice and then twice again.