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What's next after 60 minutes ?

Just slightly more than 1 week ago, the whole world stand united to usher Earth Hour, an event which took off in Sydney back in 2007. Its an event supported by WWF which simply stands for World Wildlife Federation(not World Wrestling Federation). The objective of the event is to create awareness among the public on Climate Change. Schedule on the last Saturday of March, this year Earth Hour falls on 28th March 2009 which happens to be a Saturday. During Earth Hour, everyone is encourage to turn of their lights sharp at 8.30pm for 60 minute(that's how the 60 logo come about).

Prior to the event, there seems to be lots of hype about Earth Hour with major landmarks and conglomerates around the globe declaring their support towards Earth Hour. However all the hype seems to fade away the minute it ended.

I understand that the rational of having Earth Hour is to create awareness, but whats to use of celebrating Earth Hour for only one hour a year and then go back to our usual lifestyle. If we want to be serious about climate change, the world will need to do more than just turning off the light for one hour, because it really doesn't make any difference. There should be an international effort to make earth hour a monthly, weekly or daily affair in order to see the effect. We should also have earth day where everyone do not drive and the public transport freeze for a day. To create a greater impact, the rich & famous should take the lead in doing so.

Honestly I did not participated in Earth Hour because I was travelling back to a small town called Taiping with my parent to visit my grandpa at the Hospital. You cant expect me to turn of the headlights while on the highway right? If the headlight were turn off, yes we might be able to create some impact of 0.0000000001% but have a risk of 99.99% of getting into an accident while driving in the dark.

My message to those involved and who have joined in the earth hour event, please don't just join the crowd because you want publicity or to be happening. If you are serious about help to reduce the effect of climate change, consider making Earth Hour a daily affair. I'm pretty sure that if everyone consider doing this just like what they did on the 28th March 2009, it will surely help save the environment. The only one that would be cursing will be the Energy Company because they will lost millions of dollar in revenue. On the other hand, consumers will get to save some money, this will be very good, particularly during the current economic slowdown. If you are serious about saving the environment and some money during this hard times, you should consider making it a daily affair.

3 comments:

Shengcui said...

Yup! you are true!! Will be sleeping for an additional hour everyday with nothing but my pyjamas on. This will be my ultimate devotion to mother earth.

Superman said...

All turn on the lights after that! Haha. I think really need to practice it in our daily life and not just for the 60 minutes. Switch off electrical appliance that is not in use.

Charlie said...

ShengCui: good to hear about your ultimate devotion. Have you manage to do just that so far ?

Superman:I totally agree with you. This should be an on going efford and not just once a year. too bad all the governments and agencies involved is not doing much.

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