Everybody heard of Earth Hour? It’s the last Saturday in March where the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) organizes and sets up a time (8:30pm) where everybody who wants to participate turns off their lights for one hour.
Seems pointless, right? This is one example of small changes adding up to big effects. The first year it ran, it was in Sydney, Australia and approximately 2.2 million residents turned off all non-essential lights. Fast forward to March of 2010, and over 120 different countries participated with a minimum of 100 million people having participated. 90 million of them were in the US alone. Large and well-known structures are taking place in turning out their lights, including Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera house to name a few.
If you’re still sitting there thinking it’s only one hour, once a year, take the next step. Pledge to participate in a weekly ‘Earth Hour’ and turn out the lights for one hour once a week. Give yourself some family time or alone time, and enjoy the natural light of candles or sunlight. Go for a walk, play some board games, read a book, or tell scary stories.
Each week set aside one hour where you will turn off all electronics and focus on real life. Turn off the cell phone, log off the computer, and unplug the television. Spend time with your family, friends, or with yourself. Let your mind flow where it wants to flow without restricting it. Allow yourself to try new things and to do things outside of your routine. Enjoy the freedom.
Small steps will save the world. All it takes is one step in the right direction. Enjoy your time, save energy, just once a week.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Showing posts with label lights out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lights out. Show all posts
Wednesday's Small Step: Turn the lights out!
Small steps are small steps.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
My take on Earth Hour
So with Earth Hour coming up, I definitely look forward to it. My daughter is asleep by 7:30, so that whole hour can be well spent.
Last year, Hot 89.9 (my favourite local radio station) played wonderful romantic music. Old favourites for the most part, Foreigner, Usher, etc. I'm excited to see what music they'll put on for when the lights are out.
I know a lot of people are not keen on Earth Hour, they think it's pathetic greenwashing, and that it won't make much of a difference. I feel similarly, but every little bit counts, right? Even if 10 more people turn off their lights for one hour every year, thats 10 more people than last year that will be more aware of their actions and decisions.
So I will enjoy Earth Hour with my fiancee, and I hope that the rest of you will too. Can't hurt, right? :)
Last year, Hot 89.9 (my favourite local radio station) played wonderful romantic music. Old favourites for the most part, Foreigner, Usher, etc. I'm excited to see what music they'll put on for when the lights are out.
I know a lot of people are not keen on Earth Hour, they think it's pathetic greenwashing, and that it won't make much of a difference. I feel similarly, but every little bit counts, right? Even if 10 more people turn off their lights for one hour every year, thats 10 more people than last year that will be more aware of their actions and decisions.
So I will enjoy Earth Hour with my fiancee, and I hope that the rest of you will too. Can't hurt, right? :)
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