Switch Off the Lights??? For What?
For saving electricity? For calling some attention? For showing unity Against or For something? Or For symbolizing some hope?
Earth Hour has become an international event now. Initiated by WWF (in 2007) in Sydney, a city in Australia, where lights were switched off for an hour to bring attention to the potential catastrophe due to nature loss and climate change. And climate change has no boundaries. So, the movement started spreading. It is now held every year on last Saturday of the month of March, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time of the countries. It now engages millions of people in more than 180 countries to support SWITCH TO NATURE , at least in an way that is possible for me & you.
While it might not be making a very significant difference by using less electricity collectively and reducing the carbon footprint that we leave through excess energy use, but the idea of saving together roots many similar ideas. It creates a sense of oneness and unity. The whole world rarely comes together. And when we do, it’s for a cause that’s common to all of us. The togetherness we share in terms of time and space brings us closer. Literally. We have the only world to save, and yes, we’re at it in full flow. From young children to activists in the later years of their lives, we’re all coming stronger together to fight the evils that have been created in the course of time. Our selfish, developmental activities are to blame, without a doubt. Our race for growth and development has led us to be inclined entirely towards a capitalistic approach to things; with our greed for being better.
The Earth Hour makes sense, because it’s very easy as an activity and most people have the privilege to be able to perform it. It helps us tackle climate change in our own small way and acts as an agreement that silently falls and is seconded by everyone unanimously. It’s only an hour long electricity conservation but sets the ground for many more hours and mindsets to change. So, in a way, it’s the foundation of brilliant ideas regarding energy and the attention that it deserves. It’s high time we talk about climate change as our lives depend on it, because… well, they do. And why keep a particular generation out of it? Everyone is equally responsible to live up to this responsibility. It’s all of us whose responsibility nature is.
The Hour demands the switching OFF of demands at the cost of planet Earth. It demands to participate in this initiative to promote climate control, by switching to environmental friendly electricity source, environmental friendly vehicles,…………………., Switching OFF the water tap while brushing the teeth at least.
We do our bare minimum for the environment which is long due, so, events like Earth Hour are essential reminders. It is also important that in the times today, we equip the future generations with crucial and useful knowledge. This would promote conscious behavior in children with regard to the environment. Earth needs protection and, awareness is the first step towards that. Not only is it required for us to understand that bringing about change through available resources is the need of the hour, but also it is vital that we do it in simple ways that we can incorporate into our daily life. Plausible ideas like the Earth Hour are hopefully leading many such movements into play. With awareness, care, and concern for nature, we can pull through conservation days and events like these quite easily.
Besides, days like Earth Hour primarily focus on our use of resources and bring to light, the darkest methodologies (ironically pun intended!) that humans have used to deteriorate the earth. We need to see this as a wake-up call and use days like these as a reminder to bring ourselves to face reality. Let’s bring change instead of setting unrealistic ideals, let’s do our bit today. What do you think you can do not just today but in the days to come as well?
Happy Earth – Every Hour!