The Truck Driver Shortage Might Just Be A Climate Blessing In Disguise.

 About time we learn to evaluate our shopping habits.

Last week we were made aware of Britain's truck driver shortage, and also a shortage of various goods delivered by them. This week we've learnt that this shortage of truck drivers is a world wide malaise. Frankly, I don't understand why the forces of supply and demand haven't kicked in yet.

Surely by now the various haulage companies have become to understand that their most vital part of business is the driver. Pure and simple until the oft mentioned robot slides behind the wheel. Why are truck drivers still paid relatively badly for the amount of work and stress they have to perform? Working longer hours, living out of the cab of their truck should surely be easy to change? Cut the hours to a normal and healthy 40 hour week ( unless one wants to do longer hours and routes ), keep the pay the same  ( much deserved ), employ more drivers ( normal work weeks will make it a much more attractive career ) and pay the extra cost out of the companies profits for a change! 

But back to my original thought. With the lack of drivers, deliveries are obviously less if at all which shrinks our choices of products to buy. Take supermarkets for example. Yes there are empty shelves for certain foods, but do we honestly need such a variety of choices in the first place? Why can't we stick to mainly buying local first and regional second? You know, the way our parents used to do.

I admit that often I am tempted by a fruit or vegetable from foreign climes but do I really need it...NO! Imagine how much less congested the roads would be if most of us shopped only for seasonal and local products? A case of out of sight and out of mind would quickly make us realize that the humble spud tastes just as nice as the imported sweet potato. 

As much as I like sweet potatoes, I do often hesitate when I notice where it comes from. Often America or Spain. There's an opportunity for local farmers because the price is double that of  potatoes. Same with Oranges. Granted they don't grow in Austria so that Spain is a good compromise but I do draw the line of buying Oranges from South Africa. Not necessary and far too carbon laden.

Most of us instinctively realize that we need to change our shopping behaviour and patterns. The proverbial Strawberries in Winter habit has to change. Everything that isn't grown locally has to be flown, shipped or driven in from somewhere and often that somewhere is far far away. 

We can't  ( although the climate might force us to at some stage ) do and change everything, but we should be willing to make a compromise and do a bit each and every day to help stop this climate disaster. This truck driver shortage might just be what we needed to change our shopping and eating habits. All roads lead to Rome, and hopefully this one does too...

Biggi