There isn't enough good snow at the North Pole anymore for Santa. A lot of it has melted and what is left is being squatted on by polar bears and other arctic critters. They were born with warm coats-once a distinct advantage and now, about as useful as earmuffs in South Beach, Miami.

Santa's sleigh cannot be pulled by reindeer anymore. We all know that the byproducts of reindeer, cattle, caribou and other grazing animals is a major source of methane-a global warming gas that continues to grow as we eat more meat. No, I'm not suggesting anyone actually eat Rudolph or Donner, but we need to find a way to get them slimmed down a bit and grazing less. By curtailing their annual transcontinental deliveries and leaving these up to the UPS delivery man, we may cut down on unnecessary ozone depleting supersonic reindeer travel.

Santa himself has cut back on meat. He is slimming down this year-his cholesterol is down and his ruddy cheeks are paler since he has avoided sunshine or skin cancer causing rays reflected off any new fallen snow. Mrs. Claus has cut back on overconsumption. She only stocks essential toys and items that are needed by her immediate family. The global recession made it both unpopular and unseemly to actually buy anything you do not absolutely need. Conspicuous consumption is also out, unless you are a Wall Street Investment banker and the rules of gravity do not apply. They have so much cash; they are even turning back money paid to them by the taxpayers in the form of a bailout. So, these folks may be considering redemption by making contributions to environmental causes. (Remember, the big Santa in the sky is keeping a list).

The politician Santas are trying to figure out how to keep up their global junket travel plans while not taking any unnecessary flights. Who knows, we may see a lot more senators sailing to their fact finding mission destinations this year. This will have a beneficial unintended consequence of keeping them longer from Washington deliberations. Who knows, when they get back the environmental activists and smarter NGO's may actually get to implement some of their well thought out solutions to this environmental messiness. (Believe it or not, there are some politicians who are still claiming that there is no global warming problem). It might be a good idea for them to go and visit those aforementioned polar bears. They can ask them directly up close and personal if they agree.

Even Tiger Woods has decided to contribute to the cause this year by cutting back on his tournament schedule. The Tiger jet will be sitting in the driveway this year. Tiger will be keeping in touch via cell-phone, but he even has plans on cutting back there to reduce the microwave pulses into the atmosphere. What sacrifices even a superstar can make when they put their mind to it. All of this environmental do-gooding will help the reputations. Santa won't have much to write about in the naughty part of his naughty and nice 2010 ledger.

Santa has his own Holiday List of things he would want us all to get in 2010:

1. More solar, wind and geothermal power.
2. More bicycles and other low impact transportation. Maybe light rail and other intermodal low impact commuting.
3. More work from home solutions-less unnecessary visits to urban areas
4. More investment in energy conservation technology and solutions-high, tech, low tech and all in between.(Sweaters of fleece for all)
5. More time for quality of life improving leisure activities like music, poetry, reading, walking and time with our families.
6. More buying local in our grocery shopping. Buy and consume what we need in season and from local farmers and providers.
7. More education for enjoyment-learning more about the earth and the environment we all enjoy-how to protect and preserve it for the future.
8. More global understanding so we can all learn to get along. Soccer and baseball are non polluting activities-so more of those, too.
9. More action and less talk about sustainability. Everyone doing their small part and banding together for bigger changes
10. More appreciation for what we all have on this earth. The best present of all.

And lastly, a new green outfit for Mr. Claus, the world's best ambassador for change. After all, who has better reputation than Santa?