 |
Save the reindeerAs Christmas gets less green, is there hope for Santa’s workshop? As I was putting my children’s letter to Santa Claus into the freezer (because we all know that ensures express delivery to the North Pole), a thought came to mind: Forget save the polar bears, let’s save Santa and his reindeer. The North Pole receives over 6 million letters to Santa every year. Recently the National Snow and Ice Data Center said that there is a 50-50 chance that the already thin ice on the North Pole will briefly melt away this year as a result of global warming. What will we tell our grandchildren and great grandchildren if we do not address global warming? Santa moved his headquarters because global warming ruined his village? I have made an effort this year to lower my family’s emissions. The six of us have stopped using water bottles, I wash all our clothes in cold water, and insist on unplugging gadgets and chargers that aren’t in use (or else they get taken away). I use efficiency tools like Smart Strips, shower timers, and a programmable thermostat. Then December rolls around and my mind takes a back seat to my heart. Here is a sampling of the Christmas wish lists from my four children, ranging from 6 to 12 years old:
Let’s flash back to my Christmas list in 1978 (yes, I am over forty):
Can you spot the difference? For starters, the gifts of 2008 are much more expensive. A Barbie cost about $5 in 1978, while a Wii will run you about $250. And, of course, the carbon emissions created by playing with Barbie are zero. Based on sales for the last 6 months of over 10 million Wii consoles, the additional emissions are about 800,000 lbs of CO2 per week (assuming 4 hours of play per week). So how do I help save Santa while still giving my children the Christmas they want? For starters, I have decided to include an earth-friendly item in all stockings: a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, reusable batteries, and a scan gauge for my husband. The letter to Santa should have been emailed (www.northpole.com), a step that if we all took would save 6 million pieces of paper — and a lot of postage. But, yes, I will still probably buy a Wii, iPod, or an Xbox to make this year the best ever for my children. I will also purchase a Smart Strip so at least it is not wasting energy while not in use. How are you going to help save Santa this year? Image by Flickr user The Jamoker. Comments
|
|
About Us | Press | FAQ | Site map | Contact us | Jobs| Privacy policy | Terms & conditions | Customer service | Logos & badges © 2004-2009, TerraPass Inc. All rights reserved. TerraPass is a trademark of TerraPass Inc.
|
Nancy -- this is a great topic.
It has come to my attention in my (also more than) 40 years that Christmas has become a major marketing event (now officially know as "The Holdiay Season"). Apparently there was once some religious component as well, but I believe that is fully explained only in one of those cheesy Rankin-Bass cartoons. Or something.
Anyway, we have addressed the issue of massive, guilt driven over-consumption in two important ways.
First, we have informed our family and friends that we will accept no gifts, even for our two children. Certain mothers-in-law find this difficult to accept.
In cases where we should give a gift, we give something like wine, in a "wrap sack" reusable gift bag.
Second, within our family, we aim for experiences such as a weekend away, or skiing, or a show or something that comes and goes. For the kids, we try to get them involved in giving to charities they can connect to, for example DonorsChoose, or Heifer International. Perhaps one quality toy or book.
Despite this, our children do not hate us. They are indeed torn, frequently, by the pressures of being different (we are not Amish, but you might think so).
We live in a suburb of Boston and are surrounded by unbelievable wealth ... or more likely these days unbelievable consumption + debt. Kids have massive numbers of things, and it is poisoning them; our 6th grader pretty much wants an iPod Touch mainly because it exists and other kids want it.
(In fairness, I am a major gadget head, so he gets this from me.)
We're not ogres, or cheap, or anything other than overwhelmed with the amount of pure junk that gets purchased, and tossed.
Just say no. That's what responsible parents do.
Reply
Yes! There is always demand for Santa's letters in the market. Nice to see your post. Thank you!!
Reply
Give Terrapasses as gifts!
Reply
I get your point, but Cabbage Patch Dolls didn't come into mass production until 1982.
Reply
I can identify with the Xmas list differences...
We were having a particularly tight Xmas in 1988, so I got the 2 boys plastic army guys from The Dollar Tree.
Imagine my surprise when they opened the package, studied the plastic men and said...."but what do they do?", with disbelief that any toy didn't have batteries in it...
...Took me awhile to get them accustomed to the idea, but eventually they warmed up to the army men and had a great time with them.
Reply
by Anonymous on November 19, 2008 5:41 AM
...but thinking on it now - it would have been more earth-friendly to make the army men with clothes pins....
*sigh*
Reply
Great article to really get people thinking. What will Santa Clauses new house be made of, and where will it be located...the story will inevitably have to be rewritten, unless everyone does their share to lower their usage & also educate others.
To buy the best Game System with less environmental impact, look at how much it uses when it is plugged in, the total Watts.
Compare them by going to the store, and looking on the back or bottom of the console. There you will find Amps, Volts, & Watts. Most of these will use 110 Volts, so if you choose the one with the lowest Amps, it will use less electric.
When buying any appliance (TV, Refrigerator, Game System, Coffee Pot, Laptop Computer, etc.). Look at the true cost of the item, the electric it uses, which can add up over time. Amps x Volts = Watts (1,000 Watts is 1 Kilowatt) The electric company charges you for each Kilowatt that you use.
Reply
baby steps may not get us there fast--but we'll get there and that's the goal. E-mail saves trees-don't send to the printer - defeats the purpose - thanks for the insight.
Reply
I found Christmas cards that had a picture of Santa and his crew on a shrinking north pole with the caption "Is it just me or is the north pole shrinking?"
I went back and forth on whether to buy them. It's kind of depressing to send someone during the holidays, but I said screw it--it's the truth! So this Christmas my loved ones will receive a best wishes and a reality check.
Reply
Over the last few years I have tried to phase out wrapping paper. Small gifts I give in jewelry bags that my friends use over and over again. With larger presents (like the wedding present I gave my brother and his new wife this summer) I draw on the boxes they come in (if they are plain) or I cover them in fabric that can be reused over and over again. I also try to green my presents as much as possible by looking for sustainably made goods, energy savers and thrifting. I also give a lot of handmade gifts which are usually made from materials I recycled my self or got from freecycling on the web and with my family. And isn't regifting a form of recycling as well?
Reply
For the last 2 years we have decorated our large indoor Ficus tree instead of getting a christmas tree...I have stopped using ourdoor lights and just hang a wreath on my door and by the garrage and line my sidewalk with pointsettas. I live So Cal and I realize that I can do this but not everyone can but we all can find something we can do.
Reply
I'm just plain shocked over the idea of spending $250 on a child for Christmas. We have splurged now and then and found a second hand, in good condition ping pong table or bike. And we've had loads of fun. Margaret
Reply