Environmental Scrooge types jeer at holiday lighting, but it’s actually something to cheer, as a symbol of our energy dynamism and capacity to innovate.

Environmentalists critical of electrified America must have mixed emotions this time of the year. It may be the season of good cheer and goodwill toward all, but it is also the time of the most conspicuous of energy consumption. America the Beautiful is at her best when billions of tiny stringed lights turn the mundane of darkness into magnificent glory. Holiday lighting is a great social offering—a positive externality in the jargon of economics—given by many to all.

While energy doomsayers such as Paul Ehrlich have railed against “garish commercial Christmas displays,” today’s headline grabbers have not engaged a public debate over the issue.

Yet, holiday lighting is a glaring exception to their goal of reducing discretionary energy usage to help save the world. If holiday energy guzzling is forgiven, why not excuse outdoor heating and cooling, one-switch centralized lighting, and instant-on appliances, not to mention hot tubs and SUVs?

Read more:

http://naturalgasnow.org/holiday-lighting-something-cheer-not-jeer/