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Finding Eco-Lessons In Holiday Classics –
As we enter the holiday season, many of us are looking forward to watching holiday specials and spending time with a few of our favorite characters – Charlie Brown, the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph. As you watch these classic cartoons, we challenge you to take a fresh look. You may be surprised to discover a few not-so-hidden eco-lessons. Stay with us here!
Oh, (real) Christmas Tree – When we meet Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, he is questioning the true meaning of the holiday. When he gets involved in the school play, Charlie Brown is charged with getting the Christmas tree. He chooses a bedraggled real tree instead of a bedazzled artificial one and is mocked for his decision. In the end, the little tree redeems itself when decorated by the whole Peanuts gang. For your holiday, we encourage you to follow Charlie Brown’s lead and choose a real tree over an artificial tree. It’s a more sustainable choice because once the holidays are over, LASAN will turn that tree into mulch for your spring garden.
Recycling in Whoville – Many see a mean one who’s as cuddly as a cactus when they watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. And, while Mr. Grinch won’t be winning any personality contests, we have to admire his habit of reusing materials. Think about it. He uses a branch as Max’s reindeer antler and tells little Cindy Lou that he’s taking her holiday decorations home to fix them so that they can be used again. And, yes, that mean ol’ Grinch is lying, but we do like the idea of fixing broken strings of lights and reusing holiday decorations. We encourage you to follow the Grinch’s lead and do the same in your own home.
Frosty’s Magic Water – Frosty the Snowman’s Professor Hinkle believes that it’s his hat that brings Frosty to life, but it’s really his magic snow as Santa and Hocus Pocus demonstrate to Frosty’s friend, Karen. All it takes is a brisk winter wind to bring Frosty back to life. We here at LA Stormwater, also believe that water is magic. Rainwater is a resource that we all should treasure by capturing every drop. And, while we can’t promise you an enchanted snowman here in LA, we can guarantee that captured rainwater will work magic in your garden.
Rudolph Shines Bright – Born with a bright red nose, young Rudolph is mocked and kept from playing reindeer games in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As a response, Rudolph and his like-minded elf friend Hermey, run away. On their adventures, they befriend Yukon Cornelius, visit the Island of Misfit Toys and tangle with a cantankerous Bumble. In the end, Rudolph and Hermey show everyone the value of embracing and celebrating their authentic selves. Hermey realizes his dream of being a dentist and Rudolph shines bright by courageously stepping up to lead Santa’s sleigh when a blizzard threatens Christmas. Similarly, we encourage everyone to step up this holiday season to create a more sustainable holiday – give eco-friendly gifts, recycle that wrapping paper and tree and commit to capturing more rainwater this rainy season.
Have you noticed any other eco-lessons in these or other holiday classics? Share them with us by sending us an e-mail at lastormwater@lacity.org and we’ll post it.
