The Ecologically Stupid Tradition of Dyeing Rivers Green For St. Paddy's Day

Dumping a bunch of green dye into a river on purpose to celebrate a holiday should seem like a bad idea for many reasons. While government officials promise the dyes used to transform the color of the Chicago River are harmless, apparently no one really knows if that is true. Even if the dye used isn't environmentally destructive, which seems unlikely, the practice encourages people in other parts of the country to use unapproved dye in other waterways.

Not to mention, as another site notes, "it could influence people to dump whatever they want into the river, essentially using it as a 'trash can.' We are trying our best to save the rivers as a nation, as many rivers across the country have been ravaged by pollution. So, this could exude a negative message."

The message that we can do whatever we want to the environment is exactly the kind of disrespect for the natural world that we should all be fighting against, not celebrating.