I read a great article in the New York Times this morning about churches that have gone green for Palm Sunday by purchasing eco-palms. These palms are slightly more expensive, but they arrive in a “green” friendly way.
“The program began in 2005 with 20 American churches that bought about 5,000 palms. It grew last year, with 281 congregations placing orders for 80,000 palms. On this Palm Sunday, 1,436 churches will distribute 364,000 eco-palm stems.”
According to the article, churches in America use 25 to 35 million palms on Palm Sunday. These eco-palms represent about 1 percent of the overall palm order.
It’s encouraging to see churches demonstrating their care for the environment in a way that is authentic and practical.
Julian
April 2, 2007
Eco-friendly palms? These plants grow like grass! Selecting the best quality branches for cutting and getting a premium for them is just good, old capitalism at work. The farmer earns a little more, the U.S. based middle man earns a lot more, and churches feel good about paying more for what a marketing consultant cleverly named to take advantage of North American feelings of guilt.
Truth Seeker
April 3, 2007
Transported in ‘green-friendly’ way? What do they do, load it on a horse drawn cart?
I think people are being duped here! In order to transport these palms one still has to use a truck, burn fuel, etc. No different than the transport of, lets say, an ‘un-eco-friendly’ palm. They are just paying more for their conscience to feel good. Heck I can slap ‘eco-friendly’ onto any ole house plant, does that mean people will pay me twice as much for it? Hey, now there is an idea!! :) Can’t believe churches are falling for this hook, line, and sinker
PS. All trees and plants are ‘eco-friendly’, the last time I checked they were all good for the environment.
Good day!
Jim
April 3, 2007
eco-palms! That’s funny! They are weeds on our church property. We can’t keep them cut fast enough. In fact, anything we don’t keep mowed and trimmed will be covered in palms and vines within a year.
Hmmm. Maybe I ought to be thinking of this as a fund-raiser.
joe suh
April 3, 2007
“Environmental groups in Mexico and Guatemala have trained palm cutters to cut good fronds while allowing the palm plants to survive. That keeps the income flowing and maintains the habitats of birds and other species.”
I would imagine many Christians believe “environmentally friendly trade policies” and “fair-trade” are bunk.
And that is why this is great marketing… I would guess the churches that did buy eco-palms might appeal to a green crowd with pre-conceived notions that Christians aren’t environmentally conscious.
.arkansas.barbie.
March 15, 2008
I don’t understand why such marketing is taking place. Are not ALL plants eco-friendly? No matter when then palm is cut, it’s still a palm. It still grows, lives, and dies the same. How is the more friendly to the enviroment? I think this is a marketing scheme to get people to pay more.