Of course I consume fossil fuel
I have to drive my kids to school
Beef you say I should not eat
It’s just a daily plate of meat
Then you ask me every day
Recycle do not throw away
Reduce my use of plastic now?
What’s wrong with plastic anyhow?
Decarbonize you plead with me
But carbon’s something I can’t see
Oh, climate change just seems so grim
And stopping it, well odds are slim
What I could do, would be so small
Would make no difference after all
But wait! What’s that you’re telling me?
Those Glaciers melt into the sea?
Those heat waves will become the norm?
Those floods will come with every storm?
That plants, animals, food supplies
Could disappear before my eyes?
I must then use some common sense
Or face the dire consequence
I’ll ride my bike or take a train
Instead of meat, I’ll eat more grain
I’ll only buy just what I need
And try to grow my food from seed
I’ll take my head out of the sand
And really try to understand
Climate Change won’t go away
Unless I change my ways today
I’ll make a plan to be involved
I want to get this problem solved
I’ll make a stand, begin to fight
I’ll make some changes, get things right
I’ll see the world I’ll hear its cries
The time is now – DECARBONIZE
And to my future I declare
That once again I’ll breathe clean air

Jude Mead lives in Northwest Connecticut. She is a photojournalist, a playwright, an educator, and most importantly a mother. She has published a number of articles and poems on nature and enjoys being outdoors. Climate change has been an ongoing concern in her home for many years and she strives daily to live in a clean world. When not writing, Jude spends her time gardening, playing music, skiing, or swimming.