Christmas: The High-Water Mark of our Linear Economy

The consumer economy is a linear economy, which a big reason we have a climate crisis. A linear economy goes from extraction->production->transportation-> sale>consumer-> discard. Waste is part of the plan.

Nature has no waste. Humans are the only species that creates waste. As I have said many times before, waste is a design flaw. Nature understands that, humanity does not.

Think of this when opening your Christmas and/or Hanukkah presents this week. What from the earth went into the gift? How much wrapping and packaging is involved? Could you live without the gift or the packaging?

Anything new that you receive as a gift, in some way has taken from the planet. Anything used that you gave or received as a gift means that you have not taken from the planet. Obviously, in America, there is a stigma against giving or receiving something that has been used.

Black Friday is a black day for Spaceship Earth as it is all about consumption and the buying of stuff. In recent years there have been small environmental demonstrations on Black Friday, to little effect. There are organizations that are dedicated to lowering our consumption. One of the ones I like the most largely because of its’ name is Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir Some 25 years ago, Reverend Billy started “preaching” in Times Square and it has grown from that. I love that Reverend Billy is dressed all in white as he is a preacher man. The science is all in the sermons and songs. Not overly earnest environmentalists or agitated climate scientists, just a reverend and his choir.

The organization recently had a series of performances called “EXTINCTION! The Musical”. You can pick up Reverend Billy putting forth good science in his own way. You can go to around 47 minutes into the video and hear the preaching.

Love it!

Look at what you purchased for all those on your Christmas list. Do you know what the planet had to give up for those presents to be made? Did you even think of that? What about all that you will receive as gifts? Are they providing happiness and value to you worth the degradation of Spaceship Earth?

I didn’t think so.

What can you regift to others?

Can you use any of the wrapping paper for next year? [Amazon sends gifts in those bags, which we have been recycling through several holiday seasons.]

Maybe make a donation to a climate non-profit as a gift.

Whatever you do, do something as a crew member of This Spaceship Earth