E-mail and phone messages can replace greeting cards

A lot of people buy gifts and visit friends and relatives during Christmas.

But sending cards is the most popular way to send seasonal greetings.

This is not a good thing because a lot of trees are cut down to make those cards.

It is essential that we preserve our forests to ensure a peaceful and healthy life for future generations.

Environmental protection was the theme of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's Policy Address earlier this year. So we should try our best to improve our living conditions through increased awareness of environmental protection.

If we want to greet our friends and relatives, mobile phone companies are offering cheap rates to their customers.

Moreover, we can also send our greetings through ICQ or e- mail. It will save time and money - and a lot of paper.

Lai-man is a student at TIACC Woo Hon Fai Secondary School