Earth Hour 2008 - Think Globally, Act Globally

So it's officially one month until the world turns off its lights for 1 hour in awareness for energy consumption and global warming. I first heard about this amazing event in December. Last year, Sydney Australia turned off all unnecessary lighting and appliances (homes, office buildings, commercial buildings, billboards, etc.) for one hour. The energy and carbon emissions saved from that one hour was equivalent to taking thousands of cars off the road for one day. This year, cities from all over the world, including 35 alone in Canada (Canada is, so far, the country with the largest amount of confirmed cities), will be participating on March 29th, 2008, by turning out all unnecessary lighting and appliances for one hour, between 8 and 9 pm.

Of course there will be the skeptics and nay-sayers that will quickly jump on the idea and try to slit its throat. Yes , I understand that one hour can hardly change the world and stop the negative effects of global warming. But the event is about awareness, to make each and everyone of us understand just how much wasted energy we consume each and every day which is completely unnecessary. I am confident that every step taken to raise awareness will drive the point home to the extent where it can no longer be ignored.

Once you know something you can't un-know it. You can just chose to be ignorant and part of the problem. Or you can do something about it.

Many cities across the world are organizing public events for Earth Hour. Here in Toronto, Nathan Phillip Square will be hosting an event. I urge everyone to participate and spread the word to others.

For more information, please go to:
www.earthhour.org
www.wwf.com