Ensuring the Future by Acting in the Present
SCH in Action: Sustainable Celebrations
Last night, SCH presented a program about how to celebrate the holidays and all year around with sustainability in mind. The weather was nasty, but the crowd was warm and friendly as we talked about the need to “Get Back to Basics” this season.
I started the program with some reasons why we need to think differently this year. We, as Americans, are using a disproportionate amount of the world’s natural resources and leaving more than our share of waste. Sadly, it is the poorest countries in the world who are paying the highest price for our consumption in the form of increased natural disasters, civil and political unrest, deforestation, soil erosion, dependence on petro dictators and more. I told them that as more countries become developed, conflicts over increasingly limited natural resources will be commonplace. As citizens of this planet, we are all connected. In this age of globalization, that is more true than ever!
Jen continued the program with some alarming statistics about how much waste is produced and electricity is used between Thanksgiving and New Years. Gift wrap, packaging and food waste are huge contributers to the local waste stream during this time of year. She gave suggestions for decreasing energy use and the amount of stuff we throw away. Ideas included composting food waste, driving less and switching to LED holiday lights.
Jodi came on next and focused on gift giving and gift wrap. She suggested giving gifts that can be consumed, such as food or wine and giving the gift of an experience, such as dance lessons or a special dinner. Jodi played a great video about how to use fabric to wrap gifts and make gift bags. She also told the group about the “Green” birthday party she threw for her daughter, Zoe, when she turned one. Jodi explained how she sent electronic invitations, requested no gift wrap, used locally grown foods, composted her food waste and served on reusable plates. She stressed how the party was no more expensive and that everyone, including Zoe, had a great time.
I finished up the program with some ideas on throwing a more sustainable Bar/Bat Mitzvah, based on my own experience with my son, Jack. I showed the group my recycled homemade paper invitations and told them how I purchased a grove of trees in Israel to offset the carbon emissions of the celebration. I explained how I had potted plants as center pieces for people to take home and that we served food that was very low on the food chain. It was important to me to educate my guests, so I asked our Rabbi to present Jack with his beautiful tree donation plaque from the Jewish National Fund during the service.
After the presentation, the group visited our exhibitors around the room. The Lincoln family showed everyone how to wrap gifts with found or reusable materials. Take a look at the photo of the Lincolns with their beautiful wrapped gifts. Holly Sanborn from Sir Speedy dropped off examples of greeting cards made from recycled paper and some with great environmental themes. Jo Green set up her “Green” cleaning supplies and talked to the group about her environmentally friendly cleaning company and Cindy Katz from Plant a Tree USA brought her laptop to show everyone how easy and wonderful it is to plant trees in honor of a loved one or customer for the holidays.
Take a look at this brave couple who came all the way from Philadelphia in the pouring rain just to learn about sustainability. Actually, they had to come… they are my mom and dad!
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