Earth Hour

by Scott

I was reminded today that “Earth Hour” is tonight at 8:00 pm (your local time). In case you haven’t heard, Earth Hour is a global environmental awareness movement that started last year in Sydney, Australia. Video and more information after the jump.

You’re supposed to turn off your lights and all non-essential appliances for one hour tonight at 8:00 pm local time. I know, I know…it’s like the “don’t buy gas on such and such date” thing. It’s not really “saving” all that much electricity (relatively speaking). It’s really just to remind you to think about climate change and all of the little things you can do to help save the earth (and save yourself some money while you’re at it).

Off the top of my head, here’s a few things I suggest you do right now to help make a small impact:

Turn off a light or two in your house. Right now. You know you have some on that you don’t need. At least turn off lights when you leave the room.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) in your light fixtures…all of them. If you’re still buying incandescent bulbs for your main light sources in your house, wake up! We’re past that.
If you live close to work, bike, or walk, or hitchhike, or ride your dog, or something every once in a while. Even if it’s just one day a week or one day a month, it’ll help and you’ll feel better…well, maybe not if you ride your dog, but you get the idea. If you live further away, public transportation can help, but I realize it’s a pain. There’s just nothing worse than watching someone who lives within a mile or two of their place of employment drive every single day. Ugh.
Turn your heat down a degree or two (or, better yet, turn it off). It’s not that cold. Put on a jacket…and a hat. You’re in your house, no one cares how goofy you look. See? Here’s me…right now…on my couch…writing this post:

No heat for me.

I have something else to say, so keep reading, but I’ll throw these in first. A few links to check out when you have a chance:

Ok, here’s what I have to admit. I’m not saving the world. I’m not doing more than everyone else. I mean, being environmentally friendly is important to me, and I try to do whatever I can whenever I can. But, like most other people, sometimes those things are too much of an inconvenience for me.

I bike to work now, but I got lazy during the winter. I had friends that biked or walked all winter long. I could have done it, I just chose not to.

My worst environmental offense? I drive or fly to Canada at least once a month. That’s 1,750 pounds of carbon dioxide every trip!* But, what are ya gonna do? I have a very important reason for my frequent, international excursions.

So, I try to offset for it in other aspects of my daily life. I’ll be turning off my lights at 8:00 pm tonight to remind me to keep saving where I can. Won’t you join me?

*http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html