2006-12-28 01:55:36 · 5 answers · asked by breezinabout 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I just had to ask this question. It just goes to show that the whole way of life that man has created for himself is geared toward the downfall of this planet. And with attitudes as displayed by 'coldvoice' here, what chance does it stand?
2006-12-28 08:21:26 · update #1
Most candles are made of paraffin, a petroleum bye-product. 'Never heard of soy wax, but you can buy or make your own candles from it or bee's wax. However, keep in mind that both soy and bees are farmed, and farm equipment makes heavy use of diesel fuel, gasoline, and electricity. If you take into account all those things, paraffin uses the least petroleum to make since it is only a bye-product. That is, it would be left-over anyway after making gasoline, diesel, motor oil, etc, so there is no *incremental* oil consumption to make it.
If you want truly environmentally friendly candles, grow your own bees with your own labor. The exercise will prevent doctor's from having to use all that plastic (like you see disappearing in those commercials) to take care of your health problems when you're old. And bees themselves are extremely friendly. I grow veggies in my garden. I like bees.
2006-12-28 05:30:20 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, but then again, thay aren't all that bad either. Candles are made from wax, a hydrocarbon which is a relative of oil which comes from rendered animal fat or petroleum. Regardless of the source, when candles burn, they do not completely consume the fuel (wax) and partially burn the hydrocarbons. Partially burned hydrocarbons is what makes smog, by the way, and the reason for catalytic converters. I have not seen a catalytic converter for candles yet, so they contribute to atmosphereic pollution, but then again, on a VERY small scale. You can see the soot which leaves the flame by using a piece of aluminum foil and holding it above, but not IN, the flame. The flame exhaust (within an inch or two) will readily deposit black carbon on the foil. You can't see it, but it is there. Black carbon, soot, as particles, is leaving the flame and being distributed around the area of the candle. Is that environmentally friendly? So, no, on a very small scale, candles are not environmentally friendly, by adding partially burned hydrocarbons and soot which creates and adds to the smog in the environment. However, on a cool winter evening, on top of the fireplace mantle or on the coffee table, flickering, like the fire in the fireplace, it is hard to accept that the candles damage the atmosphere around us. I prefer a flickering candle instead of a cold incandescent bulb on a cold winter evening after I've lit the fire in the fireplace. Go greenhouse gasses!
2006-12-28 02:19:24 · answer #2 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ooooh no, nothing is, if you want to be an enviro-mentalist you have to wear nothing but rhubarb leaves, live in a field and walk everywhere, and whatever you do dont break wind, the ozone layer would collapse in seconds.
And while were at it, a pc with all its cadmium and high power usage isn't either - why are you on the interweb?
I've got 2 pc's, a mac, 4 printers and 2 laptops - i dont give a shite about the environment - but im guessing you already picked up on that one.
2006-12-28 02:08:35 · answer #3 · answered by thecoldvoiceofreason 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. Only soy based candles are friendly.
2006-12-28 02:02:39 · answer #4 · answered by TKloves 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes,and they smell goood!
2006-12-28 02:03:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋