The founder of Greenpeace, Lyle Thurston, is dead and this raises the sticky question of what to do with his body. I hope that his organization’s members will do their upmost to ensure that he is disposed of safely.

Let’s look at the options:

Burial at Sea

In his later years, Thurston joined the Sea Sheppard Society, so this might have a strong appeal.

But there’s the aforementioned sticky-ness. First there is the medication in his system - environmentalists in Toronto are demanding action be taken to prevent medication from entering the water supply - Greenpeace would not want to contribute to that problem. But even if that were not a problem, they also need to keep in mind the casket and shroud:

When preparing the body for burial, no embalming is allowed as this preservative could cause water pollution. Instead, a cotton sheet or biodegradable body bag may be employed. In fact, no materials may be included in the coffin which could present a danger to the marine environment. This includes the body itself (a certificate acknowledging that it is free from fever and infection should be obtained) and the coffin itself (which must not be made of synthetic materials, zinc, lead or copper).

Taking that into account, there are the toxic chemicals in any person’s body (see Burial on land) that it would be unconscionable to put into the ocean - especially where any stray endangered fish could consume them.

This should be ruled out.

Cremation

Crematoriums emit CO2 among many other toxic chemicals, so not only do they contribute to air pollution, they also contribute to global warming. Here are just some of the problems with cremation:

Since it takes two to four hours at temperatures ranging from 1,400 and 2,100 F, or 760 and 1,150 C, the estimated energy required to cremate one body is roughly equal to the amount of fuel required to drive 4,800 miles, or 7,725 kilometers.

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide are spewed in large volume, along with carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, particulate matter, heavy metals, dioxins and furans.

There is also release of cadmium and lead from pacemakers and mercury from dental amalgams. Total mercury emissions from cremation in Canada for 2004 were between 240 and 907 pounds, or 109 and 411.6 kilograms

Obviously the founder of Greenpeace would want to avoid that. Think of the press?! Half his mourners would chain themselves to the casket. Lord knows if this will even be available next week as the government of BC has made noises about new regulations.

Burial on Land

Finally, what about burying him? Absolutely out of the question. Put him in the earth and these are the toxins he would emit into the environment:

Summary of chemicals found in Seniors (65+)

There is nothing that can be done with him that will not damage the earth. I think the only credible thing for him is to do what the rest of us do - take the least worst option and ignore the opprobrium of holier than thou environmentalists. Easy for him of course, he’s dead.