I’m trying to lose weight, which is kind of like trying to address #climatechange. I made a bunch of pledges to myself at my very own COP35 before Christmas 2019. But how can I do it, and will I succeed? 1/11
A diet is about finding the right balance between energy demand and supply. I can reduce my consumption, switch to healthier fuels (less ‘fossil’ varieties, more ‘greens’). I can also exercise, making everything more #energyefficient. Setting targets is also important. 2/11
But by golly, it’s hard to fit all this in when I also have to maintain a job, an apartment, pay bills, keep relationships… there’s more to life than fretting about the climate (um, I mean, my health). 3/11
Still, what motivates me is the thought of being fit. It’s also about the company I keep. If I roll in the right circles, this helps. We can plan healthy stuff together, sharing what works best (@IEA @IRENA) and making collective pledges (#ParisAgreement #EuropeanGreenDeal) 4/11
If I spend my time with people who think diets are hogwash, or who refuse to believe there’s a problem, it’s less likely I’ll do anything at all. 5/11
Either way, though, it’s up to me. But as I go on my diet, it’s all too easy to fall behind on my commitments (#INDC), and slip back into the old ways. Maybe that’s because I set my goals too high, or not high enough. It’s also a massive game of willpower. 6/11
What can get me motivated? So far, getting healthy is a big expense in terms of effort and money. Healthier food costs more money, gym membership isn’t cheap either. All this fancy kit I need to buy… sheesh. Maybe I should get liposuction ( #carboncapture) ? 7/11
But eventually, if I get too unhealthy, and doctors (#IPCC) start giving me warnings, this all gets way more urgent. Money is less of an object. I need to run faster, work harder, eat way less. 8/11
But devil=details. What kind of exercise? What diet? How quickly can I lose weight? How #intermittent can my energy intake be? An apple crumble (#naturalgas) is healthier than a triple caramel flapjack (#coal), but can I rely on this to succeed? I need expert advice! (@IEA) 9/11
Personally, I don’t think it’s realistic to stop eating red meat entirely, at least not anytime soon. Others might be more willing. I’d rather go on longer runs (#trainsnotplanes). Every diet must be tailored to individual preferences, otherwise they don’t work. 10/11
So, will I succeed? So far, I didn’t gain any weight in 2019 (bit.ly/2HJQRbe). I hope this is the tipping point and that I can eventually get down to… zero? Wait… shucks, this is where the analogy broke down. 11/11
