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 energy consumption. America the Beautiful is at her best when billions of strung lights turn darkness into magnificent glory from border to border, from sea to shining sea.
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 (Grist,Think Progress, where are you?) have not engaged in a public debate over the issue.