EARTH HOUR 2009

It will be the darkest hour in history and yet it will be the hour when millions of people across countries, races and religions will unite together in an unparalleled show of support and solidarity. It will an hour when we, for once, turn our attention towards the planet we call home. It will be Earth Hour 2009 - Saturday, 28th March from 2030 hrs to 2130 hrs. An hour when we turn off our lights.

But make no mistake. It is not an attempt to reduce electricity consumption or carbon emission. The reduction, of course, will be too small to be of any significance. Rather it is an opportunity to create awareness about the thoughtless impudence with which we are contributing towards the global climate change. A change which is both unwanted and unnerving. For too long now, this little non-issue has been conveniently stowed away somewhere, even as our leaders kept themselves busy with more important issues like economic and security policies. While all this time our summers grew longer and spring arrived earlier than usual, glaciers melted and sea-levels rose. Yes, they are cliches but they are real. And it is to address these very real concerns that world leaders will meet in Copenhagen later this year at the Global Climate Change Conference. Earth Hour 2009 is our chance to make sure that the policies which replace the Kyoto Protocol take into account not only the voices of a couple of hundred attendees but also of the unheard millions.
Supporters of previous Earth Hours include Google, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Opera House while this year we have the Great Pyramids, the Petronas Towers and the Empire State Building among others pledging their support to the Earth Hour. And believe me this isn't all about tokenism and publicity.
So then, what are you waiting for? Participate, spread the word and experience the difference that you can make.



On a different track, what is the significance of Earth Hour in areas with an acute shortage of power? When people there have to live through power cuts for five hours a day, are they expected to turn off their lights for an hour more?