Tips for a greener holiday!

Image credit: Petr Kratochvil via www.Gaderinge.com

With all of the twinkling lights, decorated trees, beautifully wrapped presents, and yummy foods, the holiday season is a time for family, friends, joy and hope.  However, many of our traditions are not so "joyful" for the planet.  Luckily, there are small changes we can all make to help make our holidays a little "greener."

1. Use alternatives to wrapping paper (or just don't wrap it!).  The wrapping can be part of the gift - a scarf, a reusable box, mason jar and reusable bag are all great options.  If you have kids, using some of their artwork as wrapping paper or tags is a touch that family members will love.  (Just get their permission first!)
2. Reuse or recycle wrapping paper, bows, and tags that you receive.
3. Use LED holiday lights.  If your lights are old or you are buying new lights, get LED bulbs - they use less energy (up to 80% less) and last longer.  They also don't heat up like traditional lights, so may be a safer bet for your tree.  Solar powered lights may also be a great option for outside.
4. Eat local, organic, and in-season.  When preparing your holiday meals, focus on local and organic produce, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, and grass-fed meats.  Your alcohol can be green too - biodynamic or organic wine, organic brews - if you can get local, that's great.
5. Recycle your live tree  Montgomery county will turn your cut Christmas tree into compost or mulch if you leave it by the curb on recycling day.  You can find more information here: http://m.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/how/christmas-trees.html
   
6. Use soy or natural beeswax candles instead of those made from paraffin wax (a petroleum product). 
7. Send holiday cards over email - you can save money, time, and paper!
8. Use reusable bags for your holiday shopping.  Most of us already use reusable bags at the grocery store - bring them for your other shopping too!
9. Consider giving environmentally and socially conscious gifts You can find many handmade, fair trade items, items made from recycled materials, and used items both online and in person.  Also consider non-material gifts such as a trip, class, experience, or even a gift of your talent and time.
10. If you are traveling, unplug appliances, turn down the thermostat and turn off the water heater.  This is self-explanatory, save your wallet and the environment!

Doing some or all of these things can be your gift to the earth and its people this holiday season! 

 

Fair Trade and Unitarian Universalism

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/04/multinations-development-fairtrade-report

  
What is Fair Trade?
"Fair trade is an approach to business and to development based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks to create greater equity in the international trading system." www.fairtradefederation.org   Fair trade promotes safe working conditions, environmental responsibility, and economic growth

There are many different organizations that certify and label goods as fair trade.  
In this area, I most commonly see the Fair Trade USA label.  Products that are certified fair trade by Fair Trade USA must meet the following requirements:

• Fair prices
• No GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
• No hazardous chemicals
• No child labor 

Each label may have slightly different requirements, but all have at their heart financial, environmental, and community fairness.

My Alter Eco chocolate bar is certified by Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade and the UU Principles
Buying fair trade items is one way to practice several of the UU principles:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Many of the goods we buy may have come from workers who work in horrible conditions, and/or make so little that they cannot support themselves and their families.  Child labor still exists (as does slavery, but that is a post for another day.)  In buying goods labeled fair trade you know that a fair portion of that money is going to the person who deserves it.  It also encourages farmers and manufacturers to behave responsibly in terms of the environment - working within the interconnected web instead of fighting or poisoning it.  You can learn about how the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee promotes fair trade here.  

How to buy fair trade?
The most common fair trade items are coffee and chocolate, but there is also jewelry, home decor, body care, olive oil, and more.  When shopping in your local grocery store, you can look for one of the many fair trade labels.

Alternatively, you can shop at a store (in person or online) that carries fair trade goods, such as Ten Thousand Villages or Serrv.  You can search the online directory at Fair Trade Federation to find businesses and products that are fair trade.

Buying fair trade is truly one small way you can contribute to creating a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.