| 
Green Christmas 
Are you dreaming about a white or green Christmas? (Credit: britainonview/David Sellman) Traditionally, most people hope for a white Christmas in the UK. However, more and more individuals are working towards making it a green one. With environmental issues a high priority on the social and political agenda, Brits are keen to enjoy the festivities and, at the same time, be kind to the planet. Eco-friendly Christmas Statistics show that more waste is produced at Christmas by the food and drink we consume and the presents we exchange. With this in mind, the government and the public are making a conscious effort to make 2006 an eco-friendly Christmas. Green advice For example, the Scottish Executive has dedicated a section of its website to advising the public on the different ways they can have a green Christmas. Suggestions include re-using old Christmas cards and wrapping paper, using energy-saving Christmas lights, and saving product waste by buying 'experience' gifts, like theatre tickets or a museum pass. A real tree Another suggestion on the site was made by Duncan McLaren, from Friends of the Earth Scotland. He said: "If you really must have a Christmas tree, then make it a live one". This idea is also recommended by local councils across England. Suffolk Coastal District Council, for example, has encouraged local residents to buy a real Christmas tree which can be planted out or composted after the festive season. Recycle or replant Councillor Andrew Nunn, the Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "Trees with roots can be replanted in the garden either for re-use next year or just left to grow to enhance the garden scene. "People are often put off buying a real tree because of falling needles, but this is now a thing of the past with new varieties of trees being grown that hardly shed any. Needles that do fall can be swept up and put on the compost heap or in the brown garden waste bin for recycling." The science of an eco-Christmas The Dana Centre, Science Museum in London is also doing its part to raise the profile of an eco-Christmas. Its recent Dreaming of a Green Christmas? event, supported by the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), opened its doors to visitors on 6 December inviting the public to get the latest information on the range of eco-friendly Christmas presents around. Jewellery from recycled plastic bags A number of products were showcased at the event by designers like Anna Roebuck ― who creates light pieces, screens and jewellery handcrafted from recycled plastic bags ― and Peter Martin, the creative director of Junkk.com (a web forum dedicated to reuse, repair and reduction). Planet-friendly, natural and ethical The Green Guide for Christmas 2006 provides a comprehensive guide to an eco-friendly, British Christmas. Where to get gifts like vegetable tanned men's shoes and English organic wine are some of the features in the guide, along with other Christmassy items with a natural and ethical slant. 
英国推崇绿色圣诞节 你梦到过一个白色的或是绿色的圣诞节吗？ (图片提供: britainonview/David Sellman) 从传统意义上来说，英国绝大多数人都想度过一个白色的圣诞节。然而，现在越来越多的人却倾向于把圣诞节装扮成一个绿色的节日。 环境问题已经受到了英国社会和政府的高度重视。圣诞期间，英国人在尽享节日快乐的同时，还要善待我们的星球。 环保圣诞 统计数字表明，我们在圣诞节所消耗的食物、饮料以及亲戚朋友相互交换的礼物，使得我们产生比平时更多的垃圾。考虑到这个问题，英国政府和公众正在有意识地做一些努力，争取今年度过一个环保的圣诞节。 绿色建议 比如，苏格兰行政院已经在自己的网站上专门开辟了一个专栏，建议市民以不同的方式做一些力所能及的事情，以度过一个绿色圣诞。 这些建议包括：二次利用旧的圣诞卡片及包装纸、使用节能圣诞灯、通过赠送如电影票或博物馆卡之类的“体验性”礼物，来减少商品废弃物。 真正圣诞树 “苏格兰地球之友”执行长邓肯•麦拉伦（Duncan McLaren）也在网站上提出了 自己的建议。他说：“如果您一定要用圣诞树的话，那就用真正的树。”这一建议也受到了英格兰当地政府的赞同。 萨福克海岸自治区（Suffolk Coastal District Council）也鼓励当地居民购买能够移植 并在节后还可以存活的圣诞树。 再利用或移植 环境部内阁大臣Andrew Nunn说：“选择活的树苗做圣诞树，既可以移植到花园里 以备来年再用，也可以种植在花园，增强花园景观。人们不大愿意买活树，常常是由于活树的枝叶容易凋落。但是现在不会有这样的现象发生了，因为很多新树种在成长期间几乎不会有落叶凋零。针叶树木有落叶，但是也可以清扫干净用做堆肥或是放在花园灰色的废物箱中自行降解。” 普及环保圣诞的科学 伦敦科学博物馆的Dana中心也将举办提高全民环保圣诞意识的活动。 其中，于12月6日面向游客举办的活动——“梦想绿色圣诞”是由英国环境、食品 与乡村事务部赞助的。该活动向大众提供了很多关于环境友好型圣诞礼物的最新信息。 用可降解塑料袋制作的手工珠宝 此次活动展示了设计师们的很多作品，如Anna Roebuck用可再生塑料袋制作的灯 饰、屏壁和手工珠宝。此外， Junkk.com网站（一个专门讨论能源再利用的网络论 坛）的创意总监Peter Martin也展示了他的作品。 保护地球、保护自然、保护我们的民族特色 《2006年圣诞节环保指引》详细而全面地提供了一些有关英国如何度过一个环保圣诞节的建议。比如哪儿才能买到植物纤维的茶色男士鞋和英国有机酒以及其他自然却不失民族特色的圣诞节礼品。 滴答网在此感谢英国驻广州总领事馆提供稿件 |
