The Future is Here and Other Conversations at the Dinner Table

By Constanza. This story was collected as part of a 2023 open call for submissions. It is one of 17 stories that were selected to be published.

We stopped talking about it at the dinner table. She was six when she asked: Is the world going to end soon? I didn't realize our conversations came across as alarmist. We changed the stories and the tone. Our daughter shouldn't have to fear her future. She should have the bandwidth to enjoy life and dream. After all, I’m only gravely concerned because of the beautiful nature experiences I’ve enjoyed. That’s why I came and stayed in Montana.

My daughter loves cross country, but last fall she skipped half her practices because of poor air quality. The teenager is still adamant we don’t discuss climate at the dinner table. I agree for the sake of good digestion. And let’s try to avoid politics too? But she has plenty of examples of what we do, or try to do - our little part to care for this planet. It is complicated and sometimes it feels minute compared to...  Stop right there. Despair doesn’t get us anywhere.

Our family of three is down to one paper grocery bag of trash a month. Yay…!? Still, less trash means less methane, no plastic, no bear attractant, and no trash pickup needed - by composting, recycling, gardening, and buying bulk when we can... (Did you know there are bar shampoos and waterless dish soap?). We drive fuel efficient cars; Got rid of the oil furnace; Installed an electric heater (sure, that was expensive; but a hot planet will be worst). Now we find ourselves burning natural gas in a new house, behooved to a company that intentionally invests in… Stop. I commented on legislation. I hope to figure out how to get rid of this gas furnace too. No matter what others do or don’t. Change is (literally) small at first.

I wish scientists had it wrong. Or were even lying. But no matter how hard the truth is, the inaction is worst. At least we know what needs to be done to (try to) revert it. It’s not as simple as switching off the lights, but it feels good to be part of a larger voice seeking solutions.  I also wish there were climate hubs with extension agents to hold our hands throughout the process. This is the new (Earth) Dust Bowl. 

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Constanza moved to Montana 23 years ago, and feels blessed to be able to work with great people to conserve beautiful rivers and lands in the Flathead. She works and lives in the aboriginal territory of the Séliš and Ql̓ispé Tribes who inhabited much of western Montana for the past 12 to 14 thousand years, and still do.