Lights

There is a blizzard in the woods today. The next few weeks generally offer us the worst of our wintry weather, especially in terms of the cold. Today, with the wind and snow and sleet, things are pretty quiet in the forest. Not much to report.

In my previous post I mentioned that thinking about climate change is pretty glum business. I have struggled with trying to find ways to raise the subject among friends and acquaintances without turning them off. It’s like telling someone to eat their broccoli because it is good for them. The problem is we need to inspire people to take action in their daily lives in order to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions. Perhaps, small steps at first will eventually lead to the kind of social and environment change that we are going to need if we intend to reverse the effects of global warming.

Here is where Earth Hour 2008 comes in. I am quoting directly from their website.

“It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?

The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.

On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.

With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.”

Such a simple thing. Just turn your lights off for one hour. Have dinner by candlelight. Go outside and look up at the stars. On March 29, 2008 at 8:00 PM just turn your lights off for one hour. Surely we can all do that. You can visit the Earth Hour website here:

http://www.earthhour.org/

I would encourage you to go to their website and register for this event. Tell you friends about Earth Hour. Encourage your workplace to participate. Get your local community involved. Stop the carbon dioxide madness for just a little while. You’ll be glad that you did.

Oh, and don’t forget to eat your broccoli …