Well done. All this is very true. Christmas is exactly the time of year that we should be asking ourselves these questions. How lovely that the author's name is Yule.

Yes, well done Valerie. We all need to recycle our ornaments and Christmas paper as our mothers did 50 years ago. And maybe it's time we all started reading newspapers online, though I'm not sure how to start the fire in winter without newspaper. (Yes, we burn wood from our own property for home heating). But in the end, it does come down to the fact there are too many people consuming too much. We need to stabilise and then reduce population numbers, as well as tighten our belts in myriads of ways.

Good on you Valerie. You have my vote re recycling. RE population, I happen to know that there will be a cull starting next year of all people whose name starts with C. Can I hide at your house?

But seriously, you've hit the nail on the head re consumption and especially what we consume re timber and fish stocks.

This article is a bit simplistic and sentimental.

Recycling has its place, as does improving effeciency of production and consumption... but the picture is much more complex than that.

Realising a truly sustainabile future for our society will require us to rise above simplistic notions, like 'saving trees'.

Have you considered life cycle analysis of building products?

Perhaps a quick peek at: http://www.naturallybetter.com.au/

Dean

It would make much more sense to chop down every tree in Oz, once every 20 to 200 years, depending on type, & place of growth.

If the timber were put to a good, long term use, as distinct from used for news print, such a system would be good for the environment, & those who live in it. Certainly better than treating trees as if they are some sort of deity.