Image source: Apoplectic Press
What follows will surely put me on Bill O’Reilly’s Most Wanted list (that is if I hit his radar at all, which is totally unlikely), but I came to the conclusion today that the number one cause of global warming has to be…. Christmas. Consider the following:
- The power consumed for all the Christmas lights;
- The carbon emissions caused by holiday travel;
- The net reduction of trees from Christmas tree harvesting;
- The waste of paper (and hence trees) caused by wrapping;
- The resources consumed and pollution caused by the production of Christmas gifts;
- The amount of resources needed to clean-up the environmental impact of Christmas (such as garbage collection);
- The impact of food production for the holidays on soil, atmosphere and water supply;
- The environmental resources consumed to make Christmas advertising.
I think if Jesus could peer into the future and see what his birthdate would do to the planet he would surely have called for a moratorium on such celebrations.
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Hmmm. Interesting.
Wanna hear something even more inflammatory?
I think the biggest contribution to global climate change comes from….wait for it….SPORTS.
Consider:
1) miles (by car, bus, plane) traveled by teams and fans all over the world to practice, play or watch competitions of all kinds (Just think of the Olympics alone! Now add major league sports, amateur sports, college sports, high school sports, younger kids’ sports……)
2) uniforms–many of the slinky petroleum-product variety–worn by players and by fans. Jerseys, shoes, pads, protectors plus the helmets, balls, sticks, racquets, etc.
3) stadiums–gigantic cathedrals to sports require tremendous resources (land use, initial construction, energy for lights, maintenance, etc.)
4) vehicles–special buses, vans and other vehicles designated for athletes and fans (not talking about the gas used but the resources, parts, shipping and manufacturing processes involved)
I could go on, but you get the picture. WalMart? Everyone can point to WalMart and say they are the bad guys. Now, try pointing to the soccer parents and see what happens.
Just sayin’.
Maya
Maya,
You are so very right. My friend Will Duggan has started a project, which is trying to green college sporting events. And one more biggie:
rock concerts!