Posted at 12:00 p.m.
Claudine Hébert eats less meat, buys second-hand most of the time, favors bulk products and the use of her bicycle. It applies an “environmental filter” to all its purchases and asks governments to do the same. Mother of two teenagers, this resident of Terrebonne will celebrate Mother’s Day in front of the National Assembly this year, to demand better protection of the environment and humanity. Organized by Mères au front and Ma place au travail, the Bread and Forests march aims in particular to demand the adoption of a framework law that would oblige the Government of Quebec to scrutinize all its decisions for their impact on environment and social equity.
“I feel like I do as much as possible in my life and that’s what I would like from the government, that its decisions pass through the environmental filter, not just the economic filter”, claims- she. Even if she strongly believes in the impact of individual gestures – why else go so far as to manufacture her household products and use reusable toilet paper? –, she also thinks that it is not enough.
The government needs to legislate, stop doing projects like the third link in Quebec City, otherwise my actions have much less impact.
Claudine Hebert
Claudine Hébert changed her habits and those of her family little by little. “To eat an elephant, you have to eat it a little piece at a time”: set realistic goals and discuss with the family how to achieve them. Thus, to counter food waste at the grocery store, she favors the purchase of food that is close to the expiry date and makes sure to consume it or freeze it on time. Any purchase in the family is also carefully considered. “When you need something, the first instinct is to ask yourself: do you really need it? Two, is there anyone who can lend it to us? And three, can it be found used? »
An approach that goes surprisingly well with his two teenagers, 13 and 17 years old. “Of course, teenagers sometimes want to disassociate themselves from the values of their parents. But I find them good. Not all teenagers are willing to have used clothes. »
Claudine Hébert refuses to advocate perfection and she does not demand it of herself or of her sons. “You have to be able to compromise if you want to be able to keep them involved and motivated. She herself owns a car, a hybrid, which she tries to use as little as possible. “With the distances, at some point, I can’t do everything on my bike. I could take the bus, but that’s not always possible because the network is not well developed everywhere. So, no, I’m not perfect, and that’s not the goal either. It’s just to do the best we can. »
For his children and those of others.
No matter what will happen, I will never be able to tell myself that I did not do everything I could to ensure a future for my children, and for all children. […] We bring children into the world, it is not for them to be in trouble.
Claudine Hebert
This is where she draws the energy to continue. And also within groups like Mothers at the Front, which she joined about a year ago.
“I feel it, this urgency, then I find it desperate to see that it does not move more than that. But being involved in organizations gives hope because you feel less alone. »
And she loves nature (and her children!) too much to give up.
Calling all
Have you changed your behavior to minimize your ecological footprint? Have you taken action or set up inspiring projects for the environment? Or do you know people who have?