So when we recommend an artificial tree in this list, it's only carefully. And here's an example of a fake tree that passes muster, and is really rather elegant too. Reusable forever, this is a fabulous tree to pass down from generation to generation as you solidify yourself as a 'No Cut Tree' family. Set lights on a timer and way you go. This is also a sharp tree for business offices that often go PVC tree route. All you office managers, stop! Before you commit to one of plastic trees, see if you can do better for air quality of office. Your staff will thank you...

Available in specialty Christmas stores, and at this link: http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?main=departments&act=d%2C1922&pcd=4402579&ccsyn=117

7. Instead of a cut Christmas tree, try a bonsai or miniature evergreen tree.

Especially if your space is limited, or you just adore small, miniature evergreen trees are a readily available alternative to cut Christmas trees. They last a long time, and again, because they are living trees, using them or Christmas will help planet immensely. Remember, a cut tree is a dead tree!

Visit online retailer Red Envelope for more information about Mini Cypress Tree or Rosemary Tree http://www.redenvelope.com

8. Instead of a cut Christmas tree, sponsor planting of 15 or more live trees in a damaged ecosystem.

Those of you who read regular issue of Joy to Planet (88 ways to enjoy life AND help planet) know I am a big fan of planting trees. And doing so for Christmas is a truly perfect choice. In face of millions of trees that are cut down for Christmas, PLANTING 15 or more, for US$15, is a bold and brilliant statement worthy of celebrating.

The non-profit organization American Forests makes it simple and easy to do. Just click link and consider hanging a Christmas wreath beside certificate they send you as thanks. http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/holidays.php

9. Instead of a cut Christmas tree, decorate a completely different kind of household tree or plant.

In Hawaii, Christmas tree of choice is actually Palm tree, and family at this link http://www.joytotheplanet.com/images/ripebanana1.JPG chose to honor their banana tree with ornaments this year. (Thanks go to Tom Elliot's Alternative Energy Information Centre for photo and inspiration.) What living room plant or tree can you dress up? 10. Instead of a cut Christmas tree in your house, stop and make a point of enjoying all Christmas trees that are already out there.

Have you ever stopped and noticed how many Christmas trees - artificial, cut, potted, inflatable, outdoor, what have you - you walk by every December? Last time I was out, I counted more than thirty!

So this year, instead of cutting down a Christmas tree for your own private viewing, why not take a moment and enjoy many trees that have been decorated with care out there? Whether it be at mall, on Christmas television special, in magazines, Internet, or one in your friend's living room (until next year, when you convince her not to get one!). There's plenty of tree to enjoy for all of us.

Merry tree-free Christmas!

Best regards,

Andrea

Andrea Lee andrea@joytotheplanet.com To sign up for Joy to Planet, ezine that shows you how to enjoy life AND help planet, just visit http://www.joytotheplanet.com for more information. It's fun, and free! Note: Although we have carefully researched various links above, we cannot guarantee quality or availability of products purchased from other companies. Please inquire directly with respective online companies for pricing, warranty, and other detail. Thank you!

JoytothePlanet.com ©2003 Andrea Lee. All rights reserved. Questions? Write to help@joytotheplanet.com

NGO's are becoming not only all-pervasive but more aggressive. In their capacity as "shareholder activists", they disrupt shareholders meetings and act to actively tarnish corporate and individual reputations. Friends of Earth worked hard last year to instigate a consumer boycott against Exxon Mobil - for not investing in renewable energy resources and for ignoring global warming. No one - including other shareholders - understood their demands. But it went down well with media, with a few celebrities, and with contributors.

As "think tanks", NGO's issue partisan and biased reports. The International Crisis Group published a rabid attack on then incumbent government of Macedonia, days before an election, relegating rampant corruption of its predecessors - whom it seemed to be tacitly supporting - to a few footnotes. On at least two occasions - in its reports regarding Bosnia and Zimbabwe - ICG has recommended confrontation, imposition of sanctions, and, if all else fails, use of force. Though most vocal and visible, it is far from being only NGO that advocates "just" wars.

The ICG is a repository of former heads of state and has-been politicians and is renowned (and notorious) for its prescriptive - some say meddlesome - philosophy and tactics. "The Economist" remarked sardonically: "To say (that ICG) is 'solving world crises' is to risk underestimating its ambitions, if overestimating its achievements."

NGO's have orchestrated violent showdown during trade talks in Seattle in 1999 and its repeat performances throughout world. The World Bank was so intimidated by riotous invasion of its premises in NGO-choreographed "Fifty Years is Enough" campaign of 1994, that it now employs dozens of NGO activists and let NGO's determine many of its policies.

NGO activists have joined armed - though mostly peaceful - rebels of Chiapas region in Mexico. Norwegian NGO's sent members to forcibly board whaling ships. In USA, anti-abortion activists have murdered doctors. In Britain, animal rights zealots have both assassinated experimental scientists and wrecked property.

Birth control NGO's carry out mass sterilizations in poor countries, financed by rich country governments in a bid to stem immigration. NGO's buy slaves in Sudan thus encouraging practice of slave hunting throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Other NGO's actively collaborate with "rebel" armies - a euphemism for terrorists.

NGO's lack a synoptic view and their work often undermines efforts by international organizations such as UNHCR and by governments. Poorly-paid local officials have to contend with crumbling budgets as funds are diverted to rich expatriates doing same job for a multiple of cost and with inexhaustible hubris.

This is not conducive to happy co-existence between foreign do-gooders and indigenous governments. Sometimes NGO's seem to be an ingenious ploy to solve Western unemployment at expense of down-trodden natives. This is a misperception driven by envy and avarice.

But it is still powerful enough to foster resentment and worse. NGO's are on verge of provoking a ruinous backlash against them in their countries of destination. That would be a pity. Some of them are doing indispensable work. If only they were a wee more sensitive and somewhat less ostentatious. But then they wouldn't be NGO's, would they?

Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He is a columnist for Central Europe Review, PopMatters, and eBookWeb , a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory Bellaonline, and Suite101 .

Visit Sam's Web site at http://samvak.tripod.com