Santa's Carbon Footprint

WHAT IS SANTA'S CARBON FOOTPRINT? Santa may be jolly, but he is certainly not green. Over his 122 million-mile trip around the world, Santa will release 69.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions. We take a look at where these emissions are coming from and what can be done to make this Christmas joyful for children and the environment. CHRISTMAS CULPRITS Let's take a closer look at the sources that are releasing all these extra metric tons of carbon dioxide into the air. 8 t. REINDEER 8 ft. 8ft. 2 SLEIGH 7 ft. Santa's traditional 6 ft. 6 ft. red Scandinavian sleigh carries a payload of nearly 321,000 tons. 4 ft. The tundra 6 ft. reindeer, found in the Arctic tundra of Eurasia, typically grows to 4 ft. a height of 7 feet and a weight of 410 pounds. Very few are seen with 2 ft. red noses. 3 SANTA 2 ft. Sometimes known as Father Christmas or St. Nick, Santa Claus weighs in at 300 O f. pounds- age Of. unknown. In just one night, Santa releases almost 69.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions. That is roughly the amount of annual carbon emissions produced by the country Qatar. THE DIRTY TRUTH 69. MILLION METRIC TONS IN TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS 68. MILON METRIC TONS 53,667 231,702 983,000 METRIC TONS 284,493 8,860 METRIC TONS METRIC TONS METRIC TONS METAIC TONS .............................................................O- REINDEER LUMPS OF COAL TOYS MILK & COOKIES FACTORY UP NORTH WRAPPING PAPER A CLOSER LOOK REINDEER LUMPS OF COAL LIFE CYCLE OF TOYS A team of seven-foot tall 53.667 Tundra reindeer will emit The typical lump of coal found 231.702 in a naughty child's stocking weighs approximately six ounces. If 1/5 of all children in 68.1 Toys are, by far, the top contributor to Santa's MILLION METRIC TONS 40,668 metric tons METRIC TONS carbon footprint. From the initial production and assembly, to the packaging and eventual disposal, toys for good children will release 68.1 million metric tons of CO2. METRIC TONS equivalent of carbon dioxide during their 122 million mile trip. Much like cattle, reindeer produce methane through normal animal digestive functions, which is 21 times as potent a greenhouse the world are on the naughty list, 75,000 tons of coal will be left in stockings. 37,111 metric tons equivalent carbon dioxide was released in the mining of that coal in the form of methane gas. Another 194,591 metric tons will be emitted if they choose to burn the coal Christmas morning. gas as carbon dioxide. MILK & COOKIES FACTORY UP NORTH WRAPPING PAPER Different types and weights 284.493 of wrapping paper will change The Christmas Eve tradition The size of Santa's 8,860 METRIC TONS 983,000 workshop also adds to his of leaving out milk and METRIC TONS METRIC TONS carbon footprint. The workshop is comparable in size to large factories owned by Nike. Thus the workshop would emit 983,000 metric cookies comes at a cost to the amount of carbon the environment. It takes emissions produced. But, in 900 and 750 grams worth of carbon emissions per kilogram of food to produce milk and cookies, respectively. general, if every good child receives one wrapped present from Santa on Christmas, it will produce 284,493 metric tons of CO2- tons of CO2. Now that we are aware of exactly what increases Santa's carbon footprint, there are steps we can take to ensure a more environmentally friendly holiday. REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT GREEN WRAPPING Instead of reaching for commercial wrapping paper, which is loaded with toxic dyes, Santa could use recycled paper, natural fiber fabrics, or sustainable, biodegradable paper. SLEIGH UPGRADE LOCAL MILK & COOKIES Proposed by GE, a redesigned sleigh could help create less ice buildup and wind resistance, allowing Santa to travel over long distances more quickly, using fewer resources. Santa could also use the new When you set out that cup of milk and plate of cookies for St. Nick, choose items that were produced locally. Buying local product cuts down on the largest CO2 emitter, transportation and refrigeration. An even better choice would be soy milk since soy beans absorb rather than emit CO2 sodium batteries that are used in other forms of hybrid locomotion. DON'T LEAVE COAL RECYCLED TOYS Instead of giving lumps of coal to naughty children, give them an alternative form of energy generation, such as a tiny wind turbine or pinwheel, or a few locally grown Changing the types of toys delivered on Christmas will have the largest impact on reducing the amount of carbon emissions. Santa should choose to make eco-friendly toys made from 100 percent recycled material. In the case of music and video games, opt for the digital format instead of a physical copy. ENERGY-EFFICIENT FACTORY lemons. Though the sleigh might run on Christmas cheer, the factory up North certainly does not. By switching to solar power, Santa and the elves can take advantage of the periods of 24-hour sunlight at the North Pole. ethical SOURCES: SNOPES.COM I NASHUATELEGRAPH I ENERGY.GS I RIVERTOWN.PATCH.COM I THEGUARDIAN.CO.UK I PLANETGREEN.COM I CARBONFUND.ORG I EIA.GOV I GREENBLIZZARD.COM I CIA WORLD FACTBOOK I NYTIMES I NIKE.COM ocean шш wwwwiwwuwivwwbhi MILLION METRIC TONS OF CO, EMISSIONS