Blue Crab Boulevard

And In Today’s Useless News

I just posted about how our self-appointed "environmental saviors" are jetting to Bali to decide how to limit average people lives. Then I saw this item:

In a campaign that has spread like wildfire across the Internet, a group of Israeli environmentalists is encouraging Jews around the world to light at least one less candle this Hanukka to help the environment.

The founders of the Green Hanukkia campaign found that every candle that burns completely produces 15 grams of carbon dioxide. If an estimated one million Israeli households light for eight days, they said, it would do significant damage to the atmosphere.

"The campaign calls for Jews around the world to save the last candle and save the planet, so we won't need another miracle," said Liad Ortar, the campaign's cofounder, who runs the Arkada environmental consulting firm and the Ynet Web site's environmental forum. "Global warming is a milestone in human evolution that requires us to rethink how we live our lives, and one of the main paradigms of that is religion and how it fits into the current situation."

Cofounder Tom Wegner, who heads the public relations firm Update Marketing Media, spread the campaign via mass e-mails and through social interaction Web sites like Facebook and Hook.co.il. He said no money had been invested in the campaign, but it had already raised awareness around the world and made people realize that they have to consider the environment this Hanukka.

Wegner said he did not consider the campaign anti-religious. The unlit candle could be the shamash, which is not required for the mitzva, he said. But he said he would encourage people who do not keep mitzvot not to light a hanukkia at all for environmental and educational reasons.

Here's a clue and an educational moment, Mr Wegner. Each of the completely burned candles emits 15 grams of carbon according to your own figures. One million such completely burned candles would produce 15 metric tons of carbon. If every one of those one million homes stopped burning that one candle completely - right now - and continued to do so for the next 6,666 years they would offset the carbon emitted by the people going to Bali.

Teaching moment: Learn some math, Mr. Wegner.

Happy Hanukkah. I lit these just for you.

(H/T Memeorandum)

UPDATE: Others suitably impressed: Daily Pundit: In fact, just because these jerks exist, I intend to burn as many damn candles as I can get into candlesticks, menorahs and so forth.

Moonbattery: Traditionally Hanukka involves Judaism. But this is quickly giving way to a different faith altogether.

The Anchoress: And in that hope, I’m going to go light a few candles at a local church that still uses real candles - although I guess pushing a few “electric candle” buttons will meet the case, as well - and I’m going to offer up an Advent prayer for religious tolerance and human forbearance throughout this vast, mysterious planet, which is greater than all the fuss, fury and conceits of humankind.

Ace: Instead, I'm going to do something that I never do. I'm going to burn the biggest damn Yule Log I can fit into my fireplace.

Brutally Honest: Someone ought to do a study and determine how many carbon credits are burned by people sending mass e-mails for idiotic purposes to spread fear and discontent because their religion demands they do so.

(Ed Note. That could be an enlightening calculation, couldn't it? How much carbon did the self-righteous Tom Wegner burn sending his marketing messages about his cult belief around everywhere. Want to bet it is a lot more than his campaign would save?)

Environment, Junk Science, Left Wing | Gaius Tuesday, 4 December , 2007

By feeblemind, Tuesday, 4 December , 2007 @ 10:28 pm

My question is why stop at one candle? Why not save the earth in one fell swoop? Just tell the faithful to never ever light any candles again. The arrogance of the people that come up with these ideas never ceases to amaze me.
By Chaya, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 1:35 am

And what about all the candles constantly burning in Catholic churches?? It is always the Jews!! Maybe I’ll light three Hanukiyot!!
By NortonPete, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 8:27 am

So you want greeen? I give you green. The LED menorah!
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/menorahkits
By Maggie, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 8:29 am

I’m not Jewish, but damn it … I will now be lighting tires in my yard for everyday of Hanukkia!
By lawhawk, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 3:19 pm

Okay, let’s go a few steps further.

1) No more candles for Chanukah.

2) No trees cut down for Christmas (bad for the environment).

3) No lights for the trees, or massive decorations. Same reason.

4) No more trips for haj. Just think of the COx emissions for that as millions try to make their way to Mecca from all over the world.

Oh wait, the econnuts might get 1-3, but the Islamists would draw the line - in blood - if anyone messed with haj, even if was to save the planet.
By RebeccaH, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 3:22 pm

What. Ever.

There are some people in the world who won’t be happy until they can dig a big hole, jump in, and pull it in after them. The sooner the better, because I’m getting tired of the wailing.
By aaron, Wednesday, 5 December , 2007 @ 8:52 pm

Hmmm. I thought the point of Chanukah was to celebrate the miracle of how long the oil can burn.
By Chaya, Thursday, 6 December , 2007 @ 9:06 am

You are right, aaron.

And lawhawk - loved your #4!!