In a wave of growing concern for the environment, there have been instances of unique protest actions and legislative proposals. Protesters in Germany recently colored Christmas trees with orange paint to signify their stand against the use of fossil fuels. A study from the United Kingdom has gone as far as to suggest that breathing itself contributes to global warming.
Legislation is also following this trend, with a proposal in Washington, for instance, pushing for jail time for the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Yet more interestingly, the state of California is considering what are being referred to as 'toilet-to-tap' regulations, which would allow for the conversion of toilet water into potable drinking water.
Some critics are arguing that this wave of eco-awareness appears outlandish and damaging. They point to the regulations driving small businesses away, costing taxpayers, and eroding quality of life. Some are asking if the priority should be addressing serious issues such as crime rates, and missing and murdered indigenous women, rather than debating gas-powered appliances.
Twitter Post On Germany Christmas Tree Protestors Decry Fossil Fuels with Orange Paint
In aviation news, Southwest Airlines has revised its policy to grant extra seats to large passengers. Passengers who meet certain size qualifications can now request a refund if they had to purchase additional seats in advance to ensure their comfort. The updated policy allows for either advance purchase of extra seats or, if determined necessary at the gate, the provision of supplementary seats at no additional cost.
This policy shift raises questions about fairness. Critics argue that this would put gate agents in a challenging position of determining who qualifies for an additional seat. They also worry if this could lead to a slippery slope in terms of weight criteria for qualifying passengers.
Finally, in a bizarre incident, a bull believed to be a longhorn was found running loose on train tracks between Newark, New Jersey, and Penn Station. The incident resulted in transit delays but was effectively contained. The bull's origin remains unknown.
