Earth Hour?

If you haven’t heard of the terms Earth Hour, climate change or carbon footprints, you possibly have been living under a rock. With the Copenhagen climate change summit happening in the past couple of months, and talks of renewing the Kyoto Protocol, all eyes and ears have been alerted to the issue of environmental degeneration.

Carbon is the main culprit in the destruction of Mother Earth. Regardless of our activities, we leave carbon footprints. The Singapore Environment Council’s Carbon Calculator (www.climate-change.sg) calculates that the average Singaporean household produces 9200kg of carbon dioxide a year. If this continues, our carbon emissions may heat up the planet by 4 degrees by 2100. The recent heat wave here in Singapore was a massive testament to erratic weather patterns caused by climate change.

Yes, I am a firm believer that the weather patterns have changed owing to the increased carbon emissions us humans have released into the atmosphere. The ozone layer has thickened, trapping more heat and thus Earth’s temperatures are rising. Our planet is sick because we have polluted it. The bad news is, if Mother Earth dies, we die along with her.

*cue ominous music and the screaming of people*

Just kidding. It’s not that bleak a picture. There is good news: we can start NOW. Every little change we make at this current time will help in the long run. I know it seems like a monumental task for one person to “save the earth”, but tis really simple if you contribute what little effort we can. You dont need to make life-changing decisions to be part of this project, all you really need is baby steps, one day at a time.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ~ Lao Tzu

Other than the green tips I’ve been dishing out once a month, another baby step you can take begins with Earth Hour.

What is Earth Hour you ask? Earth Hour conceptualised in 2007, started in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

The idea is simple: For one hour on the 27th of March 2010, households and organisations around the world will turn off all non-essential lights. You can do your part to help fight global warming by pledging your support at the Earth Hour Singapore site.

The WWF estimates that 1.6 million Singaporeans took part in the event last year. Despite the event being a week away, so far more than 3000 individuals and 300 organisations have signed up for Earth Hour in Singapore. Will you be joining in the event this year? I know I will.

This week, I’ll also post a list of simple things you can do for Earth Hour this year!

What cool or fun things can you do in conjunction with Earth Hour? Share your ideas!