Editor:

I was sorry to have missed the garbage bag Christmas tree at the Gibsons Community Centre last week, although I did see it earlier in the month at the Banff Film Festival.

Other than Fred Cotton’s obvious issues around staffing levels at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (Coast Reporter, letters, Nov. 30), it was unclear to me from his letter what his specific concerns were around the display.

While not everyone holds belief systems that involve a Christmas tree at this time of year, we all have ecological footprints that lead to our rapidly filling and costly landfill. Being reminded of that at a time of year so often associated with conspicuous consumption would seem to me to be not only ecologically wise, but also sound fiscal management. On a finite planet, and a small peninsula, there is no such place as “away”.

As a professional in the field of sustainability education, I would like to compliment the regional district staff on their timely, cost-effective and evidently thought-provoking educational display, and hope to see it again soon.

Mark Lebbell, Roberts Creek