At 101, Marian Sachs is unlikely to personally encounter many of the most challenging effects of climate change. These days, according to Gulf News, most of the journey’s she goes on happen during the five to six hours daily she spends curled up with her kindle.
““I am 101 years old and live in an assisted living facility,” Sachs wrote the LA Times, “There is not much we seniors can do to help [the climate crisis].”
However, this has not stopped her from doing what she can to make a better world for her children and grandchildren.
“As responsible seniors, we should give them our support in this crisis.” says Sachs.
She believes that the climate issue isn’t just a young people’s issue and that anyone has the power to make positive change. Before Covid-19 hit, Sachs worked to pass a “Meatless Mondays” proposal within her community, the Fair Oaks Assisted Living Facility in Pasadena, CA.
“We feel we can do our part by observing a meatless day once a week,” Sachs told the LA Times. “It will be our opportunity to be of some help.”
The road to success wasn’t easy—in order to implement the Fair Oaks climate change initiative Sachs had to convince the majority of the community’s 130 residents to forego their favorite mealtime meats for alternatives like tofu, eggplant, and plant-based substitutes. This may seem like a tall order, but Sachs asked neighbors to remember the children. Inspired by the hopes and activities of young people around the world, Sachs is optimistic about the future. She feels that, in these times, maybe older people can learn from the youth.
It may be surprising that a woman with over a century of experience still feels that she has something to learn from people who have been looking after this planet for a much shorter amount of time. However, Sachs sees that climate change is not just a personal issue, but an issue which has the power to unite people across boundaries of age, gender, race, or creed. She knows that she alone can’t change the world, but she hopes that her actions can show people that anyone can make a difference.
Everyone has areas in their lives where they could work to be a little more green-minded. This is a belief we share, and it is the main sentiment behind the Global Climate Pledge. Marian Sachs started with Meatless Mondays, and so can you! Via the Global Climate Pledge’s toolkit on how to practice Meatless Mondays. Regardless of who you are, or how old you are, you can contribute to our collective action which can work to change the world.
Credits for featured image:
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) “Senior living residents Marion Marx, left, and Marian Sachs, 101, were instrumental in getting meat removed from the menu one day a week at the Fair Oaks Assisted Living facility in Pasadena.”
