Charlie Brown knew what was up.
Okay, so I have been reading up a little bit on the subject and it seems universally agreed upon that buying a real Christmas tree every year is a true act of environmentalism. The evidence is pretty compelling. I suggest you all keep your fakes if you got 'em but consider a real tree as well with that sweet smell, perfect needles, and slight sap for the good of the green world. Here are a few words of support on this matter:
While they're growing, Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. Every acre of Christmas Trees grown produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people. In the United States, there are approximately 500,000 acres of Christmas Trees, which means that 9 million people a day are supplied with oxygen thanks to these trees and 500,000 acres of land stay green and do not get parking lots.
The farms that grow Christmas Trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops.
Real Christmas Trees Are Renewable.
Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms just like any other crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas Tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every one tree they harvest.
On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.
See what other environmental experts have to say on the subject...
A Real Tree is five time more environmentally compatible than a plastic tree, according to this study by Swedish researchers.
The former president of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore, endorses Real Trees as the best environmental option for consumers.
The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in most artificial trees is boycotted by environmental groups. Read about the dangers of PVC.
The American Forests organization also supports the growth and use of Real Christmas Trees for many reasons.
For environmental reasons, Yoga Journal recommends a live or cut Christmas Tree over the use of an artificial tree.
According to an article in Newsweek, experts recommend that you should "always go real."
Interesting thoughts.
ReplyDeleteBut now I feel guilty about the fakey we've got. Of course, it was a gift from Nan so we'll keep it. And we gave our old fakey to Scott & Grace. So neither of our 2 fakeys have hit the landfill.
How about selling/giving away the fakey on craigslist instead of throwing it out? Somebody would take it.
They don't mention the major drawback of real trees: the needles that fall off, get stuck in the carpet and embed themselves in your feet to keep the Christmas "joy" going the whole year.
; )