Fuel Cell Powers CA Christmas Tree
I just read that the California State Christmas Tree at the Capital is powered by a fuel cell. I think that's great - if nothing more than a demonstration of the technology and a means of promoting its further development.Fuel cells have been used for decades to power space missions and other small or R&D uses. GM even produced a fuel cell van 
in the 60's that actually worked! That link to General Hydrogen (not part of GM) also gives a decent history of fuel cells.
in the 60's that actually worked! That link to General Hydrogen (not part of GM) also gives a decent history of fuel cells.There continues to be much debate on which is more environmentally friendly: real or artificial trees. Here's an article that discusses it a bit. That article claims that 85% of artificial trees are manufactured in China, which I don't doubt. Plus, artificial trees are mostly made from petrochemicals, which China has a shortage of (oil - they have plenty of coal). Then it must be shipped all the way here. Live trees (we like to cut our own down - so there is no transportation emissions) provide local jobs and absorb CO2 and other pollutants during the growing cycle. Then I mulch or compost mine each year. I could go on, but read that article and you'll hear many of the arguments.
Lastly, let me offer you a couple of sites for finding environmentally friendly Christmas ideas, from party ideas to gifts. Their subjects are pretty apparent in the URLs.
Happy Holidays
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