Sustainable Greenville

Just last night Rudolph was parading across the tv screen and it dawned on me. What's going to happen to Santa's workshop if all the ice melts at the North Pole? Why isn't Santa or his elves at Copenhagen?

If there is one person who should be more concerned about global warming, it should be Santa.

Where are you and why aren't you raising a fuss? Is Santa's workshop too busy? How about just a quick stop and tell everyone how important it is for the whole world to pull together and save Christmas? If the snow and ice melts, where will Santa's sleigh take off from and land? Some have actually say they have found his home and runway: http://www.green-santa.com/ Or is the North Pole just not that important?

Maybe it's time for a change. Up until now the shear logistics of running Santa's workshop from the North Pole has been unsustainable. Think about it. Can you imagine the carbon footprint of such an operation?

If they are making toys for boys and girls from all over the world, then the shear volume of imported raw materials, parts and labor is astronomical. How many reindeer are needed to import the goods? How many elves are needed to make the toys? Maybe some of the toys are now being made by automation. If not, how many tens of thousands of elves are needed to make all the toys? Even with such small feet, their carbon footprint must be way too many earths. 

And what about feeding all of those elves? I can't imagine they can grow much food on the snow and ice. So they must be importing food as well as raw materials. And are they purchasing sustainably grown food? I've never heard of organic reindeer food.

Talking about certification, I've never seen a Santa Certified product. I would think in this day and age, Santa would have gotten on board with such advancements. He certainly has gotten all over Facebook and Twitter. But I'm not even sure who the real Santa is. Is he still actively involved with spreading good cheer and tidings? Or is he just out for the bottom line, the all mighty coin.

At some point in the past he certainly embraced a triple bottom line of people, planet and profits. Well before any talk of sustainability.

Then, maybe I've just gotten lost in all the commercialization. Maybe the real Santa has always embraced all of this and is just staying out of the way and watching not only children who are naughty or nice. But also adults: that is politicians, lobbyists, leaders, and nations.

But if I am right: then Santa or his elves should be visiting the library or my book store: http://www.sustainablegreenville.com/libraryandbookstore.htm There is a lot information out there that could help us or hinder us. We just need the time (or short of) to make some intelligent decisions.

One last thought. Has anyone ever thought about investigating where the reindeer get their power? Maybe our salvation is finding the power that enables them to circumnavigate the world hundreds of times in just one night. Now there's an alternative energy source.

Santa, will you help us?