Growing Carbon Footprint Cited as a Concern; Policy Aimed at Encouraging Healthier Environmental Choices
Over concern that the placement of fire wood in supermarket check out lines is causing residents to inflate their carbon footprint, the city has moved to ban the practice. The policy first proposed by the Environmental Advisory Commission, after five hours of discussion, would only apply to “corporate chain” retailers and exempt small businesses. The Commission’s summary statement read, “Many Berkeley residents are coerced into making unhealthy environmental choices by these corporate retailers. The placement of these products in the checkout aisle is resulting in consumers increasing their carbon footprint. This product placement is predatory marketing at its worst.”
During the city council discussion of the measure, many members hailed the move as continuation of Berkeley’s traditions. CM Hahn stated, “Look there is a strong precedent here and we have complete policy synergy. The ordinance before us combines our glorious history of going after corporate big box chain stores while ignoring all others retailers in the city, and once again we are demonstrating our commitment to controlling consumer behavior. Remember the soda tax, remember the straw ban, remember the candy bar ban; I am all in with a resounding YES.”
The ordinance before us combines our glorious history of going after corporate chain stores while ignoring all others retailers in the city
CM Hahn
Berkeleyans Against Residential Fires (BARF) hailed the policy as a move towards protecting our rarefied air. Their executive director, who frequently takes to Nextdoor to rail against the slightest whiff of fireplace odor in the neighborhood stated, “The ultimate solution is banning combustion altogether, but this is a step in the right direction not only do these products result in emissions, but they are not even natural wood. Can you imagine what future generations would think of our primitive habit of burning wood byproducts with man made chemicals in our home only to then expose our neighbors to the emissions? Its immoral.”
The observation that many of the products sold are not technically wood caused a 3 month delay in the measures passage as the council sought outside legal advice. Some members were concerned by the $25k contract for outside counsel, but the mayor acted to tamp down fears by arguing, “look because this is about personal health, we can use Soda Tax funds, so think of it as free money.”
After reviewing a lengthy opinion, it was agreed that the policy’s scope should be “combustable cellulose based products with or without intentional additives, including but not limited to paraffin, wax or petroleum based compounds.” Some commenters suggested the ban might encourage a black market for combustible wood products, they cited the example of enterprising Cal students circumventing the soda tax. “Look, there are many ways to game the system,” noted one observer. In response to these concerns, the mayor noted that the city has a powerful tool in the form of Berkeley Notify. “Look Berkeley Notify is our best tool to fight corporate commerce; we will empower the City Attorney to use it to the fullest extent of the law.” Despite minor public objections, the measure passed with two members abstaining.