An environmental activist has been criticised for suggesting we scrap Christmas trees this year, and instead decorate the foliage outside our homes.
Peach Rose, from Denham, Buckinghamshire appeared on Good Morning Britain with journalist Afua Adom to discuss whether both real and plastic festive trees should be banned due to the impact they have on the environment.
While Peach encouraged a ‘sustainable Christmas’ decorating the trees outside her Buckinghamshire home, Afua argue that many don’t have access to an outdoor space, and that after a tough year, putting up the Christmas tree will be a much-needed moment of happiness.
Viewers disagreed with Peach, arguing that Christmas trees are a tradition which has existed in the UK since the 19th century, and brings joy to children and families alike.
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Peach Rose, from Denham, Buckinghamshire appeared on Good Morning Britain, where she suggested we scrap Christmas trees this year, and instead decorate the foliage outside our homes
Journalist Afua Adom argued many don’t have access to an outdoor space, and that after a tough year, putting up the Christmas tree will be a much-needed moment of happiness
‘I’m not sure i’d go as far as saying to ban them,’ said Peach. ‘But I really want people to realise the sustainability options for Christmas this year. In my family we just go outside on Christmas Eve.
‘We decorate the trees outside and have some mulled wine and talk to the neighbours, and for me that is all the joy of Christmas. But we don’t have to do something [unsustainable], both the options for real and plastic trees are unsustainable.’
Journalist Afua went on to argue that not everyone has the luxury of a garden, or even an outdoor space, and that after a ‘difficult year’, putting up the Christmas tree is a bit of joy.
‘I accept the trees can leave a carbon footprint,’ she said. ‘But first of all, not everyone has a garden where they can go out and start hang baubles on trees, not everyone has the luxury of an outdoor space.
Viewers disagreed with Peach, arguing that Christmas trees are a tradition which has existed in the UK since the 19th century, and brings joy to children and families alike
‘I think in 2020 to speak about banning Christmas Trees – I don’t know about you, but putting up my tree was such a moment of joy. My daughter and my family needed in this very difficult year.’
Viewers disagreed with Peach, with one commenting: ‘Oh Christmas tree oh Christmas tree, leave tradition alone. Kids love Christmas trees , they symbolism Christmas, they bring joy and happiness. Long live the Christmas tree.’
A second raged: ‘Having a fun sponge grinch moaning about Christmas trees… oh f**k off’.
‘Christmas trees have been tradition for about 200 years.’, a third commented.
Peach encouraged a ‘sustainable Christmas’ decorating the trees outside her Buckinghamshire home
Afu went on to argue that there are more effective ways to achieve long-term sustainability goals than stopping Christmas trees, including trying to reduce emissions in the whole year round.
‘When we’re talking about sustainability and Christmas trees, it’s a once a year event, said Afu. It’s not something people are doing every week, there are better ways to work towards sustainability.
‘If we talk about less carbon emissions in our homes, installing smart meters, using electric cars – those are much more attainable ways of reaching sustainable development goals, rather than focusing on Christmas trees.’
Afu went on to argue that there are more effective ways to achieve long-term sustainability goals than stopping Christmas trees, including trying to reduce emissions in the whole year round
Peach went on to critisise the government for ‘cutting down trees left right and center’ for infrastructure projects, and told that cutting down a tree which has taken several years to grow for the festive period is ‘a bit much’.
‘I do agree to some extent’, she said, ‘I’m standing here in a forest protection camp and I think a lot of the responsibility should lie with the government, who are cutting down trees left right and center for infrastructure projects.
‘It shouldn’t just be the individuals responsibility, we can have decorations and have all these beautiful things – but like you said this is just one week of the year.
‘To cut down a tree for one week of the year, it is a little bit much, these trees have been growing for several years.’