According to the Stanford University recycling center, Americans make 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of the year. Much of it, of course, is caused by the waste produced by decorating and gift giving. So why not instead strategize how each of us can make less waste insteadContinue reading “Dreaming of a Green Christmas”
Tag Archives: gifts
Simple Christmas Gifts
In my article from a couple of weeks ago, I championed the idea of a simpler Advent season that shifted the idea of giving Christmas gifts to the needy rather than those with plenty. That idea tops my gift-giving list, but I also include alternatives that come with small(er) carbon footprints: My top suggestion remainsContinue reading “Simple Christmas Gifts”
A Simpler Advent to Prepare the Way
The Advent season consists of the four weeks preceding Christmas. This is a time of renewal, a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. A time to take stock of what is important in our lives and how we can best honor the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, many of our Christmas customs areContinue reading “A Simpler Advent to Prepare the Way”
Don’t send flowers for Valentine’s Day; send trees
From a blog post on earthday.org: Nothing is stronger than love — except maybe climate change. Did you know that a gift of flowers will often travel thousands of miles (often by jet plane) to your florist? Add the refrigerants used to keep the flowers cold and then there is the additional travel for youContinue reading “Don’t send flowers for Valentine’s Day; send trees”
A Low-Carbon Christmas
In Chapter Six of Laudato Si, our Holy Father speaks of consumerism: Since the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products, people can easily get caught up in a whirlwind of needless buying and spending. As we enter this Advent season and prepare for Christmas, perhaps it’s a goodContinue reading “A Low-Carbon Christmas”
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 