Scientist Says Cremation Should Meet A Timely Death
An Australian scientist called Wednesday for an
end to the age-old tradition of cremation, saying the practice contributed to
global warming.
An Australian scientist called Wednesday for an
end to the age-old tradition of cremation, saying the practice contributed to
global warming.
Professor Roger Short said people could instead choose to help the environment after death by being buried in a cardboard box under a tree. The decomposing bodies would provide the tree with nutrients, and the tree would convert carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen for decades, he said.
“Why waste all that carbon dioxide on your death?”
Short, a reproductive biologist at the University of Melbourne, said the contribution of cremation to harmful greenhouse gases was small, and he did not wish to prevent people from choosing how their body was disposed of according to their religion.
He suggested it would not be a bad idea to bequeath one’s body as food for a forest. “You can actually do, after your death, an enormous amount of good for the planet,” he said. “The more forests you plant, the better.”
I admit my first response to the beginning of the article was a chuckle. After reading it, it ain’t a bad idea. Fits in the category of acts an individual might choose towards a positive end.
But, in most Western nations, I wonder if you could ever get past the religious nutcases and pandering politicians to get “permission” for disposing of your body outside the rules - inside the box?
Professor Roger Short said people could instead choose to help the environment after death by being buried in a cardboard box under a tree. The decomposing bodies would provide the tree with nutrients, and the tree would convert carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen for decades, he said.
“Why waste all that carbon dioxide on your death?”
Short, a reproductive biologist at the University of Melbourne, said the contribution of cremation to harmful greenhouse gases was small, and he did not wish to prevent people from choosing how their body was disposed of according to their religion.
He suggested it would not be a bad idea to bequeath one’s body as food for a forest. “You can actually do, after your death, an enormous amount of good for the planet,” he said. “The more forests you plant, the better.”
I admit my first response to the beginning of the article was a chuckle. After reading it, it ain’t a bad idea. Fits in the category of acts an individual might choose towards a positive end.
But, in most Western nations, I wonder if you could ever get past the religious nutcases and pandering politicians to get “permission” for disposing of your body outside the rules - inside the box?
Posted: Fri - April 20, 2007 at 07:12 AM