But, we have Earth Hour everyday!
The world is observing Earth Hour today, an initiative by WWF, as the individuals and companies would switch off lights for one hour – from 8:30 PM. But I will not be observing Earth Hour as we already have half an hour power cut officially everyday and the un-official power cuts are even longer. People from other states in India says that some of them have 2 hours long power cuts and some others have it for more than 4 hours.
All of this when people in the West (and Middle East too) enjoy the uninterrupted power and use it as much as they like (except for “Earth Hour” of course). The creamy layer in India also eats up gallons of gas for uninterrupted power supply in their luxury apartments or villas, so they also can go “Green” in the Earth Hour. So it zeroes into the majority of common man in India who is being burnt in their non-AC rooms after his day’s hard work. And it’s not breezy outside, to go for a pleasant walk. And the common man would rather stay inside than “going out” during this time of recession. So no Earth Hour for me today.
Talking about awareness, one can do better than observing Earth Hour. Starting with shutting down the computer when not in use or switching off the AC and lights in the office bay when leaving for the day. So let those who utilize the power to the maximum around the world (except the Earth Hours) observe Earth Hours. At least that will make some change. I don’t think I need to smell like a rotten fish in the sweat for one hour in this hot summer. Those who rarely have power cuts and don’t give a damn about whether the earth heats or cools can try it though.
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March 29th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Jo, I too did not observe earth hour for the same reasons you noted. I think it is an elitist concept. I try and save electricity (and water) on a daily basis by switching off as much as possible. For me it is a daily exercise, something ingrained in me since my childhood. In fact I do without on many occasions when it comes to hot water etc. Also I feel very sad for the millions of Indians who suffer 6-8 hours powercuts. Yes, that is how it is in rural Maharashtra. I wonder why people there haven’t revolted.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Also think abt the energy spend on publicity for Earth Hour.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Jo,
Great post, i didn’t observe eathday though i live in US because i was more worried about my job than get worried about days or hours.As Nita said as a matter of principle i switchoff unused equipments , a habit that got ingrained in me in my child hood days because of the incessant powercuts in kerala.
@Nita
People revolt in india over powercuts? Hmm our collective intelligence is more focussed on cultural policing and holding religious riots.
May be some one need to shake indian way of life from the ground up.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:44 pm
As a prodigal of an uninterrupted power I decided to observe the earth hour. Switched off all the lights, turned off the computer and air conditioners, locked the door and went to the cinema
March 31st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Well, i dun blog regularly now, i think i’m savin a lil na? hehe… kiddin’
hows u Jo? its been a while here…
nice read!
Keep writing!
Hugss**
April 1st, 2009 at 10:45 am
Ha ha … thats well said. Every day we are observing earth hour. Thanks to KSEB
March 29th, 2010 at 10:41 am
[...] the Earth Hour entered the second year, I have the very same things to say that I said during the last year’s event. But we have Earth Hour [...]