Don't reward those who waste!

Christmas is coming soon and it’s decorating time. For most of us a simple tree, a wreath and a few dozen lights are tasteful and adequate. 

Unfortunately, we now have a new phrase in our vocabulary: climate change. One major cause of climate change, which we can control, is the increased burning of fossil fuels. Around half the electricity we use at home is produced by burning coal at a nearby power plant. The exhaust from coal plants contains considerable amounts of CO2, a principal greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Americans are world famous for their wasteful behavior.  With about 4% of the world's population, we use around 20% of the world's energy. Keeping that in mind, why do we reward people who waste electricity? Every year some nearby town will present a prize to those who go overboard with electric powered Christmas decorations. Don't get me wrong: I like Christmas as much as my neighbor, but I believe some of us tend to overdo it.

It was recently reported in a local newspaper that a suburban Chicago homeowner will adorn his house with 100,000 lights! I think we've all seen houses with as many as 25,000 to 50,000 lights, and many of those lights have been used in conjunction with other automated or illuminated decorations.  

We who are concerned about the future of Earth have an obligation to speak up and say "Don't reward those who waste!"

Tom Jasinski

C.A.R.E. Volunteer

Citizens Against Ruining the Environment

PO Box 536

Lockport IL 60441

www.willcountycare.org