On March 29, 2008 organizers of EarthHour 2008 asked people in 20 cities around the world to turn off their electricity for one hour. The goal was to one raise awareness about the effects of climate change and human impact on the environment as well as demonstrate that individuals can team up on a massive scale and impact Earth for the better.
A noble endeavor indeed, but unfortunately the organizers did not see the dramatic results that they sought. It turns out that most governments reported very little energy consumption change over the course of Earth Hour and for the hopeful participants who huddled outside in cities around the world hoping to see a massive blackout when the clock struck 8pm, there was discouraging disappointment to say the least.
Turns out, not as many people were willing to turn off their lights as the organizers had thought. Could it be that people just did not know about Earth Hour? Perhaps people just felt that turn off their lights for one hour would have very little impact on the overall world energy consumption. Or perhaps, people just don't care.
Now, I am not completely cynical about human nature. I do think a group of very dedicated people can in fact impact the world and make a real difference, I just think that humans are evolutionarily programmed to be self interested. See, it’s not we aren't all aware that climate change impacts our lives, it's just that for most of people, real, tangible effects of climate change are not particularly evident. I mean, sure everyone hears about all of the horrible things that are happening across the globe form the disappearance of glaciers, to acid rain to the extinction of hundreds of species of animals, but most people won't act unless these things directly and significantly impact their everyday lives. Which is why I think turnout was much lower than expected for the Earth Hour blackout, most people are very unwilling to inconvenience themselves (even if is only for an hour) unless they feel that they feel that it will make a significant difference. However, since the effects of climate aren’t salient in people’s everyday lives, then people simply aren’t going to participate.
Somehow, the mentality towards environmentalism needs to change from a “let’s save the Earth” rhetoric to an “I’m going to improve my life and everyone else’s around me by switching to greener options.” Bottomline: convince people that living greener is healthier and they’ll jump on the band wagon, just don’t make it so darn expensive. Gas and food are already expensive enough.
-The View for the.girl.nextdoor
I heard about that Earth hour thing like at 7 pm on that same day. I told myself I was going to do it, but then I started watching one of my shows and I totally forgot. I realized also that I thought it wouldn't have made much of a difference. I thought it was a great idea though. Maybe they should do it for more than an hour.
Jasmin Muniz
It was a good idea, but I don't think it was advertised enough, because I for one didn't know about it. And I can't be the only one.
Raising awareness only goes so far though, and you're right, environmentalism needs to be made more personal for people than the abstract idea that in the future the ice caps will melt.
This was only the 2nd year that Earth Hour was put into practice. I personally found out about it from the lady whose kids I babysit. She's really into environmental issues and concerns, so she's usually up to date with this stuff. She told me that e-mails were supposed to circulate about Earth Hour, but I never received anything about it. I think not many people (at least across the US) knew about it. I think (but am not sure about this) that it originated in Australia. There is some great video of Sydney turning out its lights this year, which you could easily find if you google it, or look on youtube.
To find out more about Earth Hour check out http://www.earthhour.org/
I was actually visiting an ecovillage during the time of Earth Hour. This made me realize what a joke the idea actually is. While yes it is great to turn off the lights for one hour, some people realize the effects of everything that they do on the environment. Turning out the lights is a great start, but people in our society don't like being inconvenienced. And the changes necessary to combat global warming are not convenient - no one like to say it but they are going to take sacrifice. Sacrifice from our everyday living and consumption. But the real question is rather we will sacrifice a little now in order to save future generations from sacrificing everything.
you're soooo hot mama!! ; )
This is honestly the first I heard of Earth Hour. I am guessing that after a few years, more people will have heard about it and participate. I am very curious about how much energy can be conserved after only an hour.
Just out of curiosity, what's up with that hot mama comment?
I had heard about Earth Hour 2008 from CNN's website, as well as through Facebook event invitations. I was shocked when 8 o'clock rolled around and I saw that practically no one was participating. You see, I live on campus at my university, so I thought that at least some people would participate. But there was actually someone who posted a sign in their window saying "Why participate in Earth Hour? Nothing will change. I'm turning ALL my lights on to protest." Some people were laughing at the sign, while others completely ignored it. I can understand that some people don't believe that Earth Hour would impact the rate of energy consumed in just one hour, but at least it is a small contribution to our environment.
I know I'm not the most energy conscious when it comes to things, yes I might accidentally leave my kitchen light on for a few hours longer than it needs to be. And yes, I might leave my computer on overnight sometimes rather than unplugging it. But I think all in all, I've done a better job at trying to help reduce energy consumption compared to some people.
The point of Earth Hour from my understanding wasn't so much as to reduce consumption, but to make awareness of the everyday things that one might use and leave on.
I think yer comment gave the greatest insight for the intent of the one hour gig.
People are going to have to develop an energy ethic if they haven't already. It's 2008. We know that companies rape and pillage natural resources for fossilular fuels. Gotta start digging that conservation.
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
I heard about earth hour i got an email about it from one of my friends in the philippines and I sent it out...but when the time came to do it i TOTALLY FORGOT!!!! i guess there is always next year.... :/ but honestly i dont think people are really into it i mean it might not have such a big effect i mean it would be better if they had like a public transportation day where people to the bus or carpooled or something maybe then the environment would be better well at least for a day (plus traffic would be alot less (i live in southern cali))