Palm Sunday Not Environmentally Friendly, Groups Say

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 4/02/04 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - Environmental activists are warning church-goers that Palm Sunday services are not compatible with "environmental sustainability."

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the Rainforest Alliance put out a press release on Friday, reminding Christians about the "unsustainable practices often used to harvest the 30 million chamaedorea palm fronds delivered to Canadian and U.S. Churches" for Palm Sunday services.

Most of those palm fronds are harvested in Mexico and Guatemala, and according to the environmental groups, Palm Sunday services account for almost 10 percent of total palm sales in the U.S.

"Unfortunately," the environmental activists said, "Peasant workers often harvest the entire plant, leading to the over-harvesting of the species, the potential destruction of rain forests, and the depletion of many bird species that migrate to these regions in the winter."

Chantal Line Carpentier of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation recommends "environmental certification," or "eco-labeling," which tells buyers the palms were harvested in a way that environmentalists accept.

Both the CEC and Rainforest Alliance described themselves as "pioneers in forest certification," and they said they are now working on a pilot project to "link [approved] chamaedorea suppliers in Mexico and Guatemala with Canadian and US churches."

As part of that effort, the environmental activists are encouraging parishes to buy "sustainable" palms for church services, weddings, and floral arrangements.

A survey commissioned by the CEC last year showed the majority of Christian congregations would be willing to pay nearly double the current price for certified palms, the group said.

According to CEC, "Environmental certification of palm and floral products is not yet commonplace in North America, so it's a good idea for consumers to ask about the source of the palm they purchase. Persistent inquires will let vendors know that consumers care about environmentally sustainable products."

[tom h]

"Palm Sunday Not Environmentally Friendly, Groups Say "

They can eat my shorts. Liberals and radicals are not environmentally friendly because the hot air they emit from the mouths causes global warming.

[LibFreeUSA]

-"The Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the Rainforest Alliance put out a press release on Friday, reminding Christians about..."

STICK IT!

[MEG33]

It's Bush's fault..

[Support Free Republic]

Rank	Location	Receipts	Donors/Avg		Freepers/Avg		Monthlies
18	Sweden	100.00	1	100.00

Thanks for donating to Free Republic!

Move your locale up the leaderboard!

[chachacha]

Future low income housing applicants in HELL.

[Just mythoughts]

"The Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the Rainforest Alliance put out a press release on Friday, reminding Christians about the "unsustainable practices often used to harvest the 30 million chamaedorea palm fronds delivered to Canadian and U.S. Churches" for Palm Sunday services."


New tactic, "dirt worshipers" start a religious war.

[FourPeas]

Oh, please. These wackos will complain about anything especially if it criticizes Christians. Hmmmm, not much has changed in 2000 years, has it?

[Petronski]

Environmentalism not Christian-friendly, Petronski says.

[Petronski]

It's Bush's fault..

Bush knew, and let it happen on purpose. That is a National Outrage!

[Guillermo]

What's that verse in Romans 1 that speaks about those who worship the creation instead of the Creator?

[Salman]

Environmentalism not Christian-friendly, Petronski says.

More generally, environmentalism is not human friendly.

[martin_fierro]

Lu 19:37-40

And when [Jesus] was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

[anniegetyourgun]

Waddaload.

[GulfWar1Vet]

Romans 1:25

"For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

[GulfWar1Vet]

..and this is the first time I ever heard this kind of crock.

Maybe because of "The Passion"?

[Sacajaweau]

The Enviro whackos are looking for some face time. Wonder when they did THIS study and would just love to see the documentation.

[Lee Heggy]

What about all the pumpkins harvested for Halloween and the mistletoe and holly for Christmas and while were at it let's put the pinata on the endagered list.

[Esther Ruth]

Matthew 21:5-11
Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.

[pikachu]

I can just the pro-environmentalist saying to Pontus Pilot, "You know crucifixion wastes millions of board feet of lumber each year...."