Lights off to save the planet

Less than five days to go and we will be celebrating the 2014 Earth Hour. Earth hour is a symbolic way of reminding everyone to do something to help save mother Earth. It is held annually towards the end of March since 2007. For this year it will be held on March 29 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm local time around the world.

While some would not care, and others would criticize its effectiveness to reduce carbon footprint during the hour, Earth Hour is symbolic and it does not necessarily aim to reduce carbon footprint and energy use on that hour. Although, there are significant reductions in energy usage during the Earth Hour event as reported by the various city participants.

This global event started in Sydney in 2007 as a lights-off event. Since then it has become a global event with more and more voluntary participants each year with the aim of raising awareness for climate change and other environmental issues.

Turning off lights is a symbolic event to promote and encourage people to turn off non essential lights and other appliances that are not in use. For example, television sets and home theater appliances on standby mode are still consuming energy even when not in use. These are considered "vampire loads" since they are still plugged to the outlets and electrical currents are still passing through the appliances. It may not be that much, but it is still consuming energy. Unplugging unused appliances will help to cut power use by a few watts.

Aside from energy use, Earth hour also raises awareness for other environmental issues. One of the local activities here in Cebu is the Earth hour night ride. It aims to promote the use of alternative transport, specifically bicycles. It is sponsored by a local outdoor equipment brand. You can also read on my brief article about alternative transport within this blog.

With all the natural calamities in 2013, one being super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that hit the Philippines, it is only more fitting now that we change our ways and attitude and reduce our carbon footprint.

There are a lot of things that we can do to still help reverse the effects of climate change.

I. Reduce the use of electricity:
  1. Turn off non essential lights.
  2. Turn off lights and appliances not in use.
  3. Unplug appliances that are on standby and not in use.

II. Use of alternative transport:
  1. Walk instead of commuting.
  2. Use bicycle. (Bike to work)
  3. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
  4. Commute in public transport.

III. Support and join in clean up activities and tree planting activities.

We should also turn off non essential lights and appliances not only during Earth hour but as a daily habit and way of life.

Let us all support and join Earth hour on March 29, 2014 Saturday from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. It is time to take action, it is time to do something for mother Earth. Lights off everyone.