Once again tonight at 8:30pm it will be time to turn off our lights and powerpoints for Earth Hour.
Back in 2007 when WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Australia encouraged Sydney-siders to show their commitment towards climate change action 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses participated. It has now become a worldwide phenomenon where more than 162 countries and over 7000 cities and towns participate worldwide, that is an estimated 50 – 100 million people.
For more information on this movement visit earthhour.org.au to see what’s new for this year’s campaign and see how you can get involved by registering your support. While on Earth Hour’s website, make sure to email your MP with your concerns regarding climate change. Another feature is an interactive module called “Choose Your Climate Future.” This interactive feature shows how your world could change as global temperatures increase and how to work out what needs to happen in order to reach your chosen pollution target.
In the meantime – plan now! Get your supplies together, candles, batteries, lanterns, etc and put them in a spot ready for 8:30PM tonight.
So what can be done in one hour with the lights off?
There are some suggestions on Earth Hour’s website under the ‘Get Involved’ and ‘Events‘ tabs.
Some other ideas . . .
- Enjoy some good old fashioned family time by playing board games, charades and tell one or two ghost stories.
- Set up a real challenge by playing something like Jenga in low light.
- Why not set up a tent in-doors and pretend you’re camping with the kids?
- Fire up the BBQ and have a romantic dinner by candlelight?
- Gather around a fire pit, with Djembes, bongos and guitars and have a sing-a-long.
- Grab some torches and see if you can find some nocturnal wildlife in the trees.
- Have a pool party by Tiki lanterns.
- Go for a stroll along the beach by starlight.
- Meditate or practice yoga.
- Have the bath full of scented oils and take time out.
- Find a nice scenic spot and gaze at the stars through a telescope.
- Actually talk and connect with your loved ones.
- Play 20 questions.
- Play with your pets.
- Play with sparklers in the back yard.
- Catch up on some housework, like folding the washing, bagging up the garbage, rearranging a drawer, de-cluttering the kitchen bench.
- Write a shopping list or to-do list.
- Go through your wardrobe and drawers and find items to donate to charity.
- Take a food and toiletry parcel to the homeless.
Mark your calendars and set up your reminders in your smart phones now! And remember, while benefitting the Earth for an hour, you can benefit yourself and your relationships by literally switching off. Future generations will thank you for it.
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