In a little bit of shameless self promotion, I’ll let it slip that today is my birthday.
Today is also the day when we have all been encouraged to take part in Earth Hour.
There have been quite a few articles in the papers leading up to this event, some of them in support and some of them totally denigrating the whole idea as turning the lights off for an hour will actually do nothing for climate change.
And there’s truth to that, of course. Even millions of people turning off their lights tonight and then going back to the same old lifestyle at 9:00 pm will accomplish nothing. I agree. But that was never what Earth Hour was about.
Taking part in Earth Hour is about something else which is very important. It will show the large number of people who are aware and very concerned about the problem, and it will show their desire to deal with it. In other words, it is a message. It is a message not only to government, but to everyone else around us that collectively we must act, that most people are ready to support action, that they understand that action will require change, and that some of that change will hurt.
So for my birthday, I’m asking for everyone to take part tonight.
Light a candle. Read a book. Relax. Spend some family time. Go for a walk. Whatever suits.
But do your part to send that message.
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Hey! Easy for you to say…YOU’LL have enough light from all those birthday candles!!!
Seriously though, I couldn’t agree more. It’s about the message that will be being sent by everyone’s participation that is the main goal here. And not to worry…we’ll be toasting your birthday by candlelight tonight at 8 pm!!
Happy Birthday Glenn!! Indeed, birthday candles provide the best light.
I originally thought that I would be at a movie theater during Earth Hour thus ensuring that *my* lights were off in a shameless act of subversion.
But it turns out I’ll be at home and just for you I will take a break from my mad cleaning and baking to relax by candlelight. After all, we Aries babies have to stick together.
I was wondering though, how are they planning to measure the results? Pictures from space? In-depth utility reports?
Personally, I wish they had decided to proclaim the hour at noon on a weekday – that would have impressed me more. But a start is a start. I still fondly remember the blackout a few years back – that rocked.
Happy Birthday Glenn, I’ve always loved candles so we’ll be lighting 42 for you and the rest to read by and play teed off by. I loved the black out so I’m making our own black out…I can’t wait to go outside and see the stars as if we were at the Lake.Love to you on your Birthday, Wendy and Brent
Happies. We wore our fingers out playing guitar by candlelight.