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Yesterday, I came across an article which got me to thinking about Earth Hour. It was a letter to the editor in The Star by a guy named Marcus who feels that the whole world has been duped into this campaign when it serves no other purpose than publicity.
The article attracted me for two reasons:
1. I had read the exact same letter (short for some changes due to editing) in the New Straits Times a day before. Oopsie.
2. Why do people always think that publicity is a bad thing?
Yes, granted, one hour of saved energy may not be much. But still, it is one hour saved compared to if there wasn’t such a campaign. Even this is too simplistic.
Of course, it’s a publicity stunt. But that’s what you need to get awareness. And that is what it’s all about.
Earth Hour isn’t just about saving that few thousand hours of electricity, it is about getting people aware about global warming. And don’t blame anyone for having to come up with a gimmick because human beings like novelty.
Why do you think Malaysia is going mental with Earth Hour? Because we’ve not done it before. So everyone is excited. How much do you want to bet that the event will be an anti-climax (it’s okay tho!)?
But hopefully, in reading about the campaign and its objective, people will along the way realise why such a campaign is necessary.
So after March 28, people will think twice about wasting unnecessary energy, or any other action which is detrimental to mother nature.
Obviously, I’m not alone in my opinion. The many other organisations and celebrities who have pledged to support the cause do to, including this lady who wrote in response to Marcus’ letter.
The Star (and I’m not actually trying to promote my company – it’s just that I’m in the video) has also pledged to be media partner and we have been running numerous stories. Yesterday, my colleagues at Switch Up – one dept from our multimedia division – went around the office and talked to our other colleagues about what Earth Hour means to them. Check it out (you can’t see me, I’m sitting in the dark).
I also want to bring your attention to the R.AGE Earth Hour Challenge (yes, this is a work plug). I blogged recently about it, saying that last year our challenge to college/uni students was No Flicker Day. This year, we got them to try and convince their respective education institutions, as well as classmates, to participate in an Earth Hour event/activity.
You can read their updates at the R.AGE Blog here. We’ll also be publishing a report on how they went on Tuesday in R.AGE.
What are you guys up to during Earth Hour? Please share.
6.26pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)
Tags: earth hour, R.AGE, switch up, wwf
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So fake, saw the videographer coming then only you off the light.
“What’s earth hour?”
“What’s wrong with you? Bla bla bla”
“I can’t afford a TV.”
LOL. Good one.
Actually I think critics are on the same page as the WWF. Its just that they are more aware than the average Joe – probably having mulled over the global warming issue much longer – and would rather see people take immediate and serious action than mickey-mouse with commercialized campaigns, which I happen to think is necesaary to crank up low awareness levels. So its an issue of maturity and and patience. The mission is the same.
I call those anti-Earth Hour people The Greench.
When I read the article by Marcus, i didn’t attract me, it amused me…
Of course, the movements done by scientists and “eco-warriors” worldwide are important as well, but don’t they realize that instead of a “me against the world” attitude, Earth Hour is just a mechanism to enrol people into conservation awareness.
It really is no different from us giving ang pows and duit raya to kids. Is Raya and Chinese New Year about money? No. But do kids now have a reason to anticipate these festivities instead of being indifferent to it? Yes, and when they grow up, like me, will have become accustomed to celebrating it.
People sometimes fail to acknowledge the value of effective mass communication – “A chair wouldn’t be called a chair until society agrees it’s called a chair”.
Yes, urgent concerted actions are needed to save our planet, but the first step is truly to get everyone to take…wait for it…
…the first step.
100% support this campaign! esp when no EPL this week. haha.
I’ll be leaving all my lights OFF for the entire day, and turning them ALL ON during Earth Hour. :p
I’ll conserve more energy (or reduce heat emmission) than i usually does;I’ll make another bottle of garbage enzyme;i’ll collect rain water to wash my car;i’ll buy my family members a conveniently small n light weight foldable shopping bag from Tiny Tapir(n make sure my mom doesn’t keep it in her treasure box); i’ll RECYCLE all my old docs and papers; i’ll REUSE those words that i nag the ignorance “Greench” (thanks kenny)about conservation and global warming more often than usual. I think I’ll finally let out the ever amplifying voice in my head which says ” F**K U for complaining the hot weather, cos i jus saw u greedily taking unnecessory plastic bags from the cashier / throwing a paper cup into plastic allocated bin / throwing huge plastic bag into the ocean before u jump in to dive / buy so much and throw even more / clearing the forest and say its for the good of our future / replace woods for palm and says its greening the hill…………and it goes on and on and on ……..” sorry , does your blog hav a non 4 letter words ruling ? anyway, i had REDUCE 2 letters. phew… so much to do, how to do it in 1 hour ? i guess i’ll do it every day… hope u guys too
Nice one
Skeptics are always there man but we should allow them to say what they want because normally, it stops at that..TALKING! Earth hour is the start and hopefully we all can start doing our bit for our planet!
Earth Hour is the beginning of anti-climate change in our world. Thanks to all who supported and participated Eart Hour!