Marching for the Earth

I debated putting this in the "Read it in the Newspaper," thread; but that one's gotten so long that only a couple of us read it, and this subject could require discussion.

A recent report on a "march for the environment" raises the question of whether such activities remain popular and just aren't considered news; or has it fallen out of favor as a meaningful way of stirring interest in protecting the earth from our thoughtless and careless treatment.

A report from China notes the organizing of a protest march to draw attention to the "excessive packaging" of some products. It appears to be a Chinese custom to exchange gifts of elaborately packaged "spirits."

Enjoying Christmas. Scroll down to the Chinese march story:

[quotes]

Police in central China have scotched a liquor company's plans for a mass Christmas Eve "nude run," which the company said was a public interest event to discourage the use of "excessive packaging" in the industry.

Jixiang Ruyi Tobacco and Alcohol Co. offered 284 people $1,280 in cash and prizes to participate in a naked dash through Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, the People's Daily reported on its Web site this week.

The company's advertisement called for "auspicious" men and women under age 30 with "healthy bodies" and "regular features" to apply.
The report quoted a company manager saying the goal of the streaking event was to raise consumer awareness and declare war on the excessive packaging of "baijiu," a grain-based alcoholic beverage popular in China, often given as an elaborately packaged gift in the lead-up to Chinese New Year.

Over 1,700 people had applied in four days, China Central Television reported on its Web site, the overwhelming majority of them men.

"We have already invited experts from the beauty industry to conduct physical checks on the applicants. Their mental condition must also be sound.

According to the tests, there are only 30 or so that qualify," CCTV quoted a company official as saying.

But despite the firm's high standards, Zhengzhou police rejected the company's application for a permit to hold the run."Public commercial events ... must meet moral standards," CCTV quoted a police official as saying. "Such mass streakings do not."

[enquotes]

It sounds like they really tried to meet very high standards. Perhaps petitioning the Chinese government for a more accepting attitude toward expressions of environmental concern would be in order.


So is anyone else doing anything interesting (for the environment) during this holiday season?

John