I think that’s an accurate characterization of my concerns. I didn’t take the offset route for three main reasons.
I do have other concerns besides GHG emissions, which offsets wouldn’t address.
In general I prefer to reduce where I can, and save offsets for things I struggle more to do without (necessary plane trips being the main one). Which is another way of saying that I’m not willing to pay the increased (offset inclusive) price. I guess I was also banking on adapting to meat-avoidance fairly well; perhaps if I’d ended up finding it more difficult, I would then have considered offsets more seriously. Also, offsets are still somewhat difficult to verify; my own meat consumption isn’t.
The impact of my own reduced meat consumption is relatively minimal. However, if my example convinces one other person to reduce their consumption similarly, then that’s doubled it’s effectiveness. Perhaps I’m wrong, but offsets don’t seem to have the same example value.
I avoid all meat, as well as milk. I’m working to reduce other dairy products, but cheese is proving stubborn.
Environmental and efficiency concerns are my main motivation, particularly GHG emissions. I have no particular concern for animal welfare.
I have three general exceptions. The first is that I’ll try types of food that I’ve never eaten before if offered the opportunity. (I would totally try fried locusts.) The second is that I’ll eat things that I or a close friend or family member has caught/killed (non-farmed). The third is that I’ll eat meat to avoid serious social awkwardness. I’ve also thought about making an exception for food that would otherwise go to waste, but decided that it could create bad incentives.
Any kids would presumably be raised as practical vegetarians, because that’s what I (and my partner) cook.
I’ve encouraged others, with some success, to reduce and/or change the mix of meats they eat. (I’ve not really tried to convince anyone to become totally vegetarian.) I’ve found that non-vegetarians tend to be more open to my reasons for being vegetarian (which are fundamentally anthropocentric) than to concerns about animal welfare.
I do the standard stuff to keep up proteins: legumes, soy products etc.
My attitude to others doesn’t depend much on their dietary choices. (Some of my best friends are omnivores.) My attitude to others’ dietary choices depends on their reasons for doing whatever it is they do. Difficult to give a general answer.
I’ve been vegetarian for a little over two years. I’ve had three “lapses”, one for each of the exceptions listed in 3.
I used to enjoy meat a lot, but except for seafood, don’t really miss it at all. In fact, the longer I go without eating it, the less appealing it seems. I really enjoy good vegetarian food.