earth hour

Don't forget that this Saturday, March 28, cities around the world will turn off their non-essential lights during Earth Hour (8:30 - 9:30pm) to raise awareness about climate change, and to show that it is possible to take action against global warming. I think it's a great idea because it demonstrates that every individual can make a difference, and that a whole group of individuals (say, a billion) acting together can have a huge impact. It gives me hope that we can use the same momentum for other issues as well.

I think we all need to start realizing the cost of our mass behaviour in terms of the sustainability of this planet, and of the creatures living on it. There's lots of other stuff you can do besides turning off the lights during this hour, hopefully on a regular basis as well, such as:

• install energy-saving light bulbs
• only run the dishwasher when it's full
• better yet, do them by hand!  
• unplug devices you're not using in addition to turning them off
• get a more energy-efficient fridge or freezer

So, this Saturday do your part and be in the dark! Snort. Because unfortunately there are enough people out there who still think that global warming is a bunch of hooey (which frankly, boggles my mind), and we need to counteract those naysayers.

Comments

[krissa]

I hardly know where to start, but I guess I'll start with the "naysayers". I started reading English newspaper websites last year after being in Germany for so long. I was stunned at the amount of comments by readers who truly do not believe that there is any climate change and think that it is all a "government conspiracy" against "the people". These are all Englanders making the comments. If there are others of the same belief out there too - that's frightening. My frame of reference is limited to the US, Germany and the English folks who are commenting on those stories. From that frame of reference, I can say that it's only the English who deny the problem exists. From what I've seen, the attitude in the US and Germany is either very positive as far as "let's fix this". Or it is simply "who cares". No one in the US or Germany denies it exists. ... I am in danger of getting too carried away here so I'll stop now. But I totally agree with your post. And thanks for drawing attention to it! Btw, our own lights were out last night at that time, but they are almost every night. Once I'm done washing dishes and cleaning up for the night, it's lights out! Then the only glow is from the computers or our little 3 inch cd player that has a tv built in until we go to bed. Oh, and we don't put our stuff on stand-by at night. That was at Nick's insistence. It all gets turned OFF. And unplugged. Sheesh.

[krissa]

This is very timely. I just read that in the US alone it costs $2.8 Billion a year for computers to be left on standby overnight!!!! Wow.

[have gone vegan]

Wow indeed. That's a lot of moolah! I have to admit I'm not as good in conserving energy as you guys. I DO turn off lights and appliances when not using them, but I don't think I've ever unplugged anything. Oops. But maybe if we all take baby steps, or at least increase our awareness of what we should be doing, then if nothing else that's a move in the right direction.

As for the naysayers, my position is that even if there were a chance that they're right, why not err on the side of caution and do what we can so that future generations don't have to deal with it? What I find surprising is the amount of anger this issue stirs for them, as if their personal rights are being violated somehow. Sheesh!

[krissa]

Exactly. ... Did you read yet about the giant ice shelf that is due to separate from the Antarctic any day now? I forget the name of the shelf, but it's a very "big deal" and no one seems to really care. Well, it hasn't had a lot of coverage so I am sure most people don't know, but I doubt anyone is going to care. Maybe because of the sense that the problem is too big and nothing can be done? I'm sure those in denial about the whole problem of climate change will have a very rational explanation for a 6000 sq. mile ice shelf melting at an alarming rate and the ice "bridge" that connects it to the Antarctic breaking apart entirely. Can't wait to hear it! You know it won't have anything to do with that *myth* about humans impacting the environment. ;)

[have gone vegan]

Snort. Yep! But yeah, I do think that sometimes certain problems seem so big that they feel overwhelming, and almost futile for one person to even address. But when it comes to the environment every action counts and every individual can have an impact. And I think that's why I find veganism so empowering too because by not consuming any animal products you're literally making a difference.