Dec 23, 2022
Oh Tannenbaum, how carbon-neutral are thy branches?
‘Tis a seasonal debate: Are real or artificial Christmas trees better for the environment? It's not settled.
For some, the choice is easy. One smells better. The other lasts for many years. But if both get thrown out, each will end up in a landfill. The plastic tree will take hundreds of years to break down. The natural one can release methane as it rots. Methane, scientists say, is the second-most dangerous greenhouse gas.
Supporters of artificial trees say their environmental impact can be reduced if they’re reused for many years. According to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), if a fake tree is used for over five years, it has less impact than real trees over the same time period. ACTA is a nonprofit representing the artificial tree industry.
On the other hand, grinding real trees into mulch or using them to line creek beds can be good for the environment, experts say. It’s also possible to replant the live trees. They don't always survive that, though.
Real-tree lovers say it’s also good for the economy to buy real trees. It supports tree farms. Some say it may encourage growers to think twice before selling their land to developers. Most artificial trees are from China. The ships they're brought over on run on fossil-fuels.
“What we’re doing by purchasing a natural Christmas tree is supporting local economies,” a tree expert told CNN. "And to me, that’s a key part of the conservation equation.”
The Power of Seaweed: How Can Kelp Capture Carbon?
This video explains how fast-growing kelp combats climate change by capturing and storing large amounts of carbon, but that ocean acidification, pollution, and warmer waters are making it harder for kelp to grow.
Why Algae Could Be the Plastic of the Future
This video explains how plastic waste (particularly from the fashion industry) has become a significant burden to our world, and how algae-based products are a more sustainable and biodegradable alternative.
How Much Plastic Is in the Ocean?
This video on plastic pollution explains why plastic is in our oceans, how much plastic pollution goes into the oceans, and what happens to it as it breaks into smaller pieces over time.