Taiwan’s government on Friday urged the public to stop burning incense sticks and ritual money in honour of the dead and opt instead for online worshipping to better protect the environment.

The call came ahead of Monday’s Tomb Sweeping Festival, when ethnic Chinese traditionally visit the graves of their ancestors to burn incense and paper offerings.

The practice not only worsens the island’s air pollution but could also cause fires, warned the cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration.

“We can now choose to pay homage to our ancestors in a modern and environmentally friendly way by worshipping online or donating the money meant for the offerings to charities,” it said in a statement.

Continues: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/taiwanese-urged-to-worship-online-to-protect-environment-1935981.html