SullivanPatrick+Don't+Worry?+Presentation

Sullivan Patrick Portfolio

As a society we have developed certain traditions based on what has been possible for us to accomplish. Some traditions require energy sources such as oil that is now considered unsustainable. We must decide what traditions we are capable of continuing and which traditions are not worth their cost to the environment. The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza is a tradition that has been around since 1933. The tree for this must be over 65 feet tall, but is usually between 75 and 85 feet tall and weigh roughly 8 tons. These trees are transported from areas 50 to 450 miles away. This tradition was developed when oil was considered to be of endless supply and its pollutants were unknown. Now that we realize oil supply is running out and combustion engines create pollutants in the air, this tradition can no longer be considered sustainable. Once the tree is taken down it is donated to different organizations. Two years ago the tree was donated to Habitat for Humanity to build a house in southern Mississippi to help rebuild after hurricane Katrina. This sounds like it is a good idea and the general public think that this is a good thing because the tree is going to a good cause. People do not think about the fact that this requires the tree to be transported over 1200 miles when it could have been used in New York City and prevented other lumber from having to be transported to NYC. -Peak Oil -Pollution (Carbon Dioxide, Particulate matter) -Studies done in Austria and Netherlands to determine how “Environmentally Sustainable Transport” can be achieved. Both found that this can be achieved through new technologies alone (fuel efficiency, fossil free fuels), but this method is very expensive and not practical. The only practical method of achieving this is through new technologies and demand management (shipping less distance, public transportation, local goods and farming). -Instead of viewing this in terms of cutting a tree down for Rockefeller Plaza and Habitat for Humanity, look at it as transporting a tree a couple hundred miles for Rockefeller Plaza and transporting it another 1200 miles for Habitat for Humanity.

Works Cited Friedl, Birgit, and Karl W. Steininger. "Environmentally Sustainable Transport: Definition and Long-Term Economic Impacts for Austris." //Emperica// (2002): 163-80. Print. Geurs, K. T., and G. P. Van Wee. "Environmentally Sustainable Transport: Implementation and Impasts for the Netherlands for 2030." //Research for man and environment// 773002.013 (2000). Print. FIRST LOOK!!: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree plucked from Connecticut teacher's yard What Happens to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree After the Holidays?