They say that society could be a showcase of the contradictions of the human being. Well, I don’t know if someone says it, but at least I think so

For instance, I have spoken many times about the State of Washington, its forests, lakes or faunal richness. The enjoyment of this privileged natural surroundings is perhaps what has formed a highly committed society to the environment that proudly holds the title of the "Evergreen State".

Remember those protests against globalization that occurred here in Seattle on the occasion of the World Trade Organization meeting in November 1999. Recently a municipal law had been passed to collect an ecological fee for each bag of the grocery stores that you carry. Companies make environmentalism a real flag of their marketing campaigns and you can even opt an ecological choice for your electricity, paying a little more to save the purity of the air (and selected investments) or you can choose email communications instead of mailed to save forests (and budget for the companies, sure).

The eco-commitment reaches corporations which have posted in the newspapers and its corporate websites photos to thanks users, and their sacrifice, because thousands of trees have been saved. Pictures of innocent children are widely shown planting new trees making this planet a more livable place for them. Photos, incidentally, with long green, and blue background, which are actually the corporate colours of the 21st century ecomarketing.

Not bad.

However, I don´t buy this bullsh*t. Let’s see, how is it possible that in the full bastion of environmentalism we still continue felling trees, I repeat just to sell Christmas trees? Why is allowed an industry that lives for something that is perfectly substitutable for a greener alternative?

This eco-thoughts came up after a Christmas-tree seller was set up nearby home. I remember those students in the University of Madrid that use to sell Christmas tress in the campus; but those were sold balled and burlapped so they were able to be replanted again. Some of them use to die, but many others survived Christmas crushing. However, to my surprise, those trees that are sold nearby are literally cut so there is nothing to do after Christmas but throw them away (to the green dumper, which sounds weird to me though).

Always I read something related to this I hear voices arguing jobs, employments, families and though times. But I say, isn´t it that our forests resources provide enough jobs in the wood industry? Is it necessary to cut a grown tree after several years just to use for some nights covering it with colored bulbs and hanging balls? Is not decoration superfluous and lacking weight enough reason to justify such natural attack? I don’t want to imagine what would here if trees had horns and we could fight them as a torero…

Such a hypocritical society!

(Source in Spanish: http://www.marianolozano.com/2009/12/07/arboles-de-navidad-nacidos-para-morir/)