Grinch-y! Biofuels increase the price of Christmas trees
Christmas tree sticker shock in Germany is due in part to biofuels demand, according to HDH, the German timber industry group. Christmas tree land that was lost in order to grow crops for biofuels is a reason given by HDH along with more single person house holds and, of course, demand from China. Christian von Burgsdorff runs a Christmas tree company and says that, "we don't have enough goods to keep up with Chinese demand." 28 million Christmas trees were sold in Germany last year (the most ever) and the Christmas tree racket can only go up. Will Christmas trees be added to the list of things impacted by biofuels like gummy bears and beers? More importantly, will people ever stop the incredibly strange tradition of chopping down a tree only to bring it inside and put lights on it?
Happy Holidays everyone!
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[Source: Spiegel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Domenick 11:01AM (12/11/2007)
It is a strange tradition but we've been doing it for thousands of years (well, not the electric lights part so much) so why stop now?
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TG 2:55AM (12/12/2007)
With my first 22 cal rifle when I was 12 years old, I shot a barn swallow off a barn power line.
At 12 years and two minutes, I grew up and never killed any living animal for target practice since that day.
You should see the beautiful green blue sheen of a still warm swallow with blood on it.
No person could ever make such a miracle.
We burn wood in the cabin stove but never cut living trees. There is always old dry wood to use.
There is plenty of wind break pine and cedar branches for the smell of Christmas. No need to cut a tree down. = TG
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Rocketboy 10:17AM (12/12/2007)
So, should we use plastic trees then? I thought that plastic was making flowers sad also? Maybe we should just go back to walking around naked living in caves. Will that make the flowers happy again?
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