And it helped him transform Florida from a political battleground into a laboratory for conservative policies. That deliberate, unwavering approach made him a conservative hero early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when he reopened his state after a few months of lockdown. It’s also the DeSantis way: Study the problem, make a plan, and follow through. Now he’s focused on Iowa as a key to the 2024 primary race. Ron DeSantis is known for a disciplined approach that has fueled his rise and steered his state to the right. Now, my girls and I are trying to think up the next challenge. Even I, as a climate journalist, had simply not noticed the plastic coating our lives. Even here, most of the products were wrapped in plastic, from the lettuce to the tofu.“Mama, what are we going to do about cheese?” my little one finally stammered. We persevered that week, if a bit hungrily and with a cheddar craving. (I’d been reporting about plastic for a while – watch for a cover story coming up, or this graphic explainer.)The girls were in.We collected our reusable shopping bags and jars, and drove (I know, I know) to the local food co-op.
And while I tell myself that one day these contests may evolve into pro-social habits, mostly I like them because they seem to work, my girls are happy, and I scratch one or two things off the never-ending to-do list. So when I read climate scientist Peter Kalmus’ 2017 book, “Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution,” I was intrigued. Among many other things, his book proposes personal behavior shifts – using only cash, eschewing industrial beverages, avoiding all packaging – often beginning as a week- or monthlong personal challenge. Over breakfast, I outlined our mission: For a week, I said, we were going to shop without buying any plastic. I have set up contests for making beds and tending the litter box, running soccer drills and practicing instruments. The week began, as do all good weeks with my children, with an official challenge. A family’s competitive streak, after all, can be magically exploited for parental gain.
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