Earth Hour 08 - Make that flick

When I first stumbled upon the Earth Hour idea some time ago, I was, as with countless other environmental awareness campaigns, inspired. The Earth Hour event is one that call for cities, mayors and towns to flick the switch at 8.00pm for an hour every year.

It all started in Sydney back in 2007. This year around, Earth Hour 2008 is to be practised all over the world in 24 cities after receiving endorsement and support internationally. But when I considered about participating and saw the list of major cities of the world pledging their support, I thought:

Heck, come back and talk to me about this when I own my own 50-storey tower. Aha! With me living in a penthouse on the 50th floor with a birds-eye view of Kuching, just by the waterfront. And a directors office on the 49th floor overlooking an army of 5,000 employees working their asses off to make sure my multi-million company rakes in billions of dollars.

Then with a flick of a switch on Earth Hour, I would turn all lights off the facade of my majestic skyscraper, inspiring thousands of Kuchingnites as they look up the new landmark in awe. Then they’d all return home and switch their lights off too. THAT’s what I call Earth Hour!

Ahem. Its daytime and I’m dreaming.

Of course, I proceeded to click that red ‘X’ on my browser.

But seriously, Kuala Lumpur isn’t even listed as one of the participating cities, what more Kuching? And what more a bloody average two-storey neighbourhood house in the suburbs?

If I were to switch my lights off, I’ll look like a dumbass in the neighbourhood when my house is the only one in the dark. My neighbours would be laughing and they’d ask me, “Ei bruther, you forgot to pay your SESCO bill ar?”

Then it struck me. Its not about 50-storey skyscrapers, or being a dumbass, or not paying the bills. Its about the difference one can make.

I thought turning the lights off for an hour in our tiny cosy house wouldn’t make any difference. But I was wrong. Look at Sydney, if everyone thought the same way, would there be 2.2million households and 2,100 businesses switching their lights off for an hour, saving 10.2% of juice in a single hour?

While Kuching or even Kuala Lumpur isn’t participating, well I can bloody participate in whatever small way, now can’t I? Its not about how much energy I can save by a flick of a switch for an hour, rather, Earth Hour is to spread awareness of the habit to save electricity and the limited resources of Earth.

More often than not, those who pledge to participate in Earth Hour 2008, also pledge to put their efforts into saving electricity whenever they can. Not only for an hour but for practise in their daily lives.

So don’t bother if the MBKS or DBKU participate in Earth Hour, just do your part.

Look, even our Wisma LHDN (formerly Wisma Ting Pek Khiing) had their ‘Earth Hour’ a while back when I took that photo above. (If you can’t see the building, it’s because all their lights are off and your monitor is too dark.) =P

So what do you do?

Easy, join me on 29th March 2008 and be part of a global initiative to spread environmental awareness by flicking your lights off for 60 minutes from 8pm / 2000 hours to 9pm / 2100 hours tomorrow!

There’ll be plenty to do during that one hour. Camp out and watch the stars (haven’t did that in awhile, haven’t you?). Head out for dinner, cos by the looks of it much of Kuching’s businesses wouldn’t be participating (no guarantees though, don’t come after me when the lights go off in your favourite Japanese restaurant =P). C’mon I’m sure you could live without the lights for awhile.

For me, I’d prolly be heading out. =P If not, perhaps it’s about damn time to admire the stars.

Earth Hour 2008. Its time to give back to mother nature. Do your part and spread the word!

P/s: Check out huiting’s post on their efforts on Earth Hour 2008. Good inspiration. =)

Edit: There’s an Earth Hour movement going on at Mybloggercon (a Malaysian Chinese blog community). Head on there and read what others have to say! They’re all in Mandrin though, save for my post. =P