Waxing Green

When considering how the world has largely become greener, I am, at turns, surprised, shocked, and pleased with the efforts individuals and corporations make to create a more sustainable and earth-friendly environment. I’m also often dismayed as the green movement gains momentum and those seeking to cash in hope to ‘greenwash’ their products and services, implying a sustainable message when there actually is none. We recently had this experience when a jewelry manufacturer sent us samples of bracelets made from all-natural materials. Indeed the products were made of natural materials—including endangered tropical rainforest wood.

Sigh.

Then today, I read something that had me amused and scratching my head: An eco-friendly wax portrait of the Prince of Wales.

As many of you know, Prince Charles of England is a fairly green guy. Well, at least as much as anyone who lives in a drafty old castle that takes gobs of resources to heat can be. He does get around in a “green car” and does try to minimize his travel so as to reduce his carbon footprint, even donating to footprint mitigating charities when he is forced, because of matters of state, to fly around the world. On his last visit to the U.S. he posed a plea for the great nations of the world to take action on the various environmental crises we are facing.

Apparently these philosophies have earned the prince a “green” wax work at the famed Madame Tussaud’s in London. Made from wax that is both organic and recycled from the English heir apparent’s previous portrait, the figure was sculpted by hand and only during daylight hours to reduce the need for electricity. Sculptors also biked to the shop to work on the figure. It cost roughly around the same as a traditionally-made figurine—about $300,000.

Now, on the one hand I think, “well isn’t that nice?” Odd. But nice. On the other hand I think, “$300,000!!!! For a wax statue?”

If that isn’t conspicuous consumption, I don’t know what is.

To date, Charles hasn’t indicated if he will visit the portrait, which is part of a $2million dollar exhibit of his kin. If he does, maybe he can talk to the folks at Tussaud’s about the fact that $300,000 or $2million for that matter, is money better spent elsewhere—on real eco-friendly initiatives.

You can read more about the eco-friendly was prince here

-Ramin, Editor