Today’s e-mail brought a request from WWF Canada for me to join other Canadians in being a part of Team Earth Hour. (This year, Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. – and beyond, if you so desire!)
For those who may not have heard of and/or participated in Earth Hour, here’s a bit of background from their web site:
Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.
More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.
I’ve participated in Earth Hour in previous years, and have committed to doing so again this year.
I understand that not everyone is enthusiastic about the event, however. I remember a few years ago being somewhat surprised at the response of a friend who refused to be involved, and who in fact was very much opposed to the movement. Basically, this person felt that the time for symbolic gestures was past – that it was time to do something “real” – because symbolic gestures would do no good anyway.
My response was (and still is, for that matter) that anything, symbolic or not, that raises awareness regarding climate change and our need to make significant adjustments to the way we live and how we look after the earth can only be a good thing. I’ve always been of the mindset that even though we can’t do everything, we can do something… and who knows but that a symbolic gesture might well inspire many people to go beyond and do so much more.
What do you think?
Will you be participating in Earth Hour this year?