What is Earth Hour?

Many people are familiar with Earth Day, but Earth Hour is a relatively new phenomenon with a buzz that is catching on. At least, the buzz on Twitter and Facebook is hard to miss. The event is organized by the World Wildlife Fund, or WWF. In 2007, 2.2 million homes and businesses in Sydney, Australia turned their lights off for an hour to create a movement against climate change. By 2008, 50 million people in 35 countries participated. Landmarks around the globe turned out their lights as well for the hour to make a bold statement of support for a world wide need to take a radical stand against climate change. The numbers of supporters grew in 2009 to over 4000 cities in 88 countries taking part in the pledge.

How Can You Take Part In Earth Hour?

Saturday March 27^th at 8:30 pm local time the next Earth Hour will be observed. Participants are asked to turn off all non-essential lighting for the hour. At the time of writing, 120 countries have pledged to participate. This global call to action will see millions of individuals, business, and landmarks observe an hour of darkness as the world joins together to take responsibility for the impact humanity has on the planet. Not all countries or US States are currently listed as participants. However, individuals can sign up to participate at http://www.earthhour.org.

Why Participate?

According to EarthHour.org, recent studies project that within five years there needs to be a massive revolution towards low carbon industry or climate change will be irreversible. However, it is believed that steps can be taken now to keep this from happening. To read the report published by the WWF, follow this link. http://www.earthhour.org/assets/pdf/whyvote/climatesolutionweb.pdf

What is climate change?

Climate change is a long term change in patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, seasons and sea levels. While these things fluctuate on a natural cycle, statistics indicate that there are more significant and radical changes taking place than have in prior geologic history. Specific climate patterns are critical to all ecosystems. A change in rainfall patterns will result in changes in the blooming of flowering plants and crops that animals including humans depend on. Warmer temperatures can cause die offs of vegetation which provide habitat for animal species. The climate is critical to the health of the planet.

Since the industrial revolution, man has predominately burned fossil fuels for energy which results in emissions of aerosols that absorb and emit heat, and reflect light. As a result of the addition of these aerosols and greenhouse gases the make-up of the atmosphere has changed. While there is considerable dispute even among the scientific community, it is believed that changes like this could be a leading factor in climate change. Regardless, energy is a finite resource while pollution is a visible problem. Simply observing the event as a means to support conservation of energy and a means of reducing pollution is still a good reason.

What Is the Impact of Earth Hour?

Statistics gathered by the Vietnam Electricity Company in 2009 showed, Vietnam's electricity demand fell 140,000 kWh during Earth Hour. In the Philippines the energy saved was the equivalent of stopping a dozen coal fueled power plants for an hour. It remains to be seen how much of an impact people can make during Earth Hour 2010. My lights will be off for the hour. Will yours?