Earth hour: Climate change awareness

It’s called Earth Hour, an annual event where for one hour, non-essential lights are shut off as a symbolic energy saving gesture.

There is virtually unanimous scientific support for the realization that the earth is warming and climate is changing in places around the globe.  That support also extends to the idea that man’s activities is fueling the changes through our huge consumption of energy, along with wsuch other climate altering activities like deforestation,

In 2006 The World Wildlife Fund in Australia began thinking of a way in which citizens could participate in a symbolic gesture  to governments to raise awareness of climate change.  In 2007, the major urban centre of Sydney made the headlines as it took up the challenge and became the first city to shut down most of its non-essential lighting for one hour.

Although intended originally to be expanded nationwide, the idea quickly caught international attention.  By 2008, dozens of other cites around the world joined in, and many more have participated every year since then.

Canadians were early and enthusiastic participants.

This year Earth Hour will begin at 8:30 pm local times on Saturday March 23rd.

The WWF in Australia was prompted to think of some action to take in regard to the global warming issue by a perceived lack of action on the issue by their government, and others  around the world.Working with an agency they developed an action that was simple and which anyone and everyone could do to show their support for action on warming and climate change.

The idea was simplicity in itself, for one hour, simply turn out non-essential lighting as a symbolic gesture to reduce energy consumption, and as a highly visible action.

As World Wildlife Fund Canada Conservation Director Steven Price says, turning out lights for one hour won’t really have much an an environmental saving.  He says its meant to be a symbolic message to say we must take action to reduce our energy consumption and global warming.

The major city of Sydney became a supporter with lights on major public and private buildings shut down.  WWF Australia, hoped the idea would spread throughout the nation.  However, the action was so successful, that it gained the attention of international media and quickly spread.

This year over a billion people in more than 100 countries are expected to participate whether simply by shutting off lights, or by taking part in the many celebrations and candlelight events, all of which are to point out to politicians and industry that citizens are concerned and would like greater action taken.

As Steven Price says, although a 2-degree increase in average global temperatures may not sound like much, it will have a major affect on the environment, and our lives. A greater increase will have significantly greater consequences.WWF Earth Hour webpage here

For more on the global event, RCIs Marc Montgomery contacted the World Wildlife Fund Canada and spoke with Conservation Director Steven Price.