Seeing Christmas trees for sale has me, once again, stepping onto my soapbox about the whole “Save a Tree” thing. Christmas trees are grown to be harvested for sale during the holiday season. Other trees are grown in private forests to be harvested to create wood and paper products. Why is that concept so hard for so many to grasp?

The fact is that the “Save a Tree” myth has been so well promoted by businesses, that are really trying to save money and increase profits, that many read about ‘deforestation' or ‘loss of habitats for wildlife' and immediately jump to the conclusion that it's a result of the manufacture of paper. Think about it. How many times have you read about some species losing it's natural habitat and jumped to that conclusion in your own mind? Have you ever thought about what prompted you to go there?

We've been brainwashed (or greenwashed) and it's time to start thinking for ourselves. Here are some links with some facts and interesting information about trees and the environment and the role they play in our economy:

http://chooseprint.org/PPF.html

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2010/03/is-digital-media-worse-for-the-environment-than-print090.html

http://www.paperbecause.com/paper-is-sustainable/paper-truth-or-fiction

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471904576228712797236124.html

http://www.printgrowstrees.org/paper-facts2.html

http://www.internationalpaper.com/apps/gopaper/index.html

I hope you will reach the conclusion that paper is pretty cool in lots of ways. And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go save this tree …  for dessert 🙂

Related Posts:

• The ‘Save a Tree' myth
• Have you thought about paper?
• Can't See the Forest for the Trees
• Mail Music Monday to soothe your Christmas Hangover
• Mail Music Monday Wraps Up Christmas

Filed under: Green by Cam Swegman