thanksgiving

It is that time of year again. Time for the harvest festival of plenty. Only this time around there isn't as much plenty as there once was. Although the dramatic reduction everyone talks about is rather minor. Numbers like a 0.5% contraction in GDP or a 2% drop in spending may worry economists and politicians but it is not the end of the world (yet). I am afraid we will have to be prepared for a lot more if we want to create a sustainable environment.

There is some good news. Holiday travel will be less than last year. Probably by some minuscule number, but a small percentage here is huge in absolute carbon terms. Unfortunately gas prices cratered right before the holiday. The drug pushers at Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, and Conoco-Phillips probably realized that it was now or never. Better make sure the "stuff" is cheap when a big consumption blob is expected.

Furthermore, many predict that retail sales will be dismal. Likely another reduction by a percentage point or two, but all little bits help. The less we consume, the less we damage the environment. The end-of-year shopping season is a hugely wasteful activity. It is a time when people buy useless trinkets that they give to family and friends, who are then left with having to throw these items in the trash when nobody watches. But it doesn't stop there. The useless trinkets are packaged in tons of paper and accompanied by well-wishing cards, ribbons, and other solid waste. 

If you want to be an environmentalist this holiday season, give nothing and ask for nothing except hugs and kisses. Don't replace your TV, turn it off instead. Don't buy the latest PDA or cellphone gadget, and vow to keep your car for a couple more years. Forget the bargains. Much, much better bargains are on the way if the depression keeps unfolding the way it currently is.

The sad news is that holiday activity supports people's lifestyle. Many in the country are employed directly or indirectly by consumer retail. Our economy depends on it for almost 3/4's of its value. A huge knickknack-to-trash churning machine it is and we need to turn if off. That means that there will be plenty of pain to go around.

This thanksgiving, let's give thanks for the things that really matter. Friends, family, and the reduction of wasteful consumption.