The Earth Hour

It is time we do something! Most of us are aware that our environment is no longer 'sustainable'. Waste products are being generated at a faster rate than its degradation. It sure is not an easy thing to be aware of the consequences of our daily actions but like all habits, it takes time to get use to it. We can start with as simple as turning off the lights before we leave the room or keep all plastic bottles to be recycled. Sure, not everyone is doing it but hei, if there is someone doing it, that is one less individual's waste to be dealt with.

Since WWF is aware that a lot of actions needs to be motivated, they had came up with Earth Hour 2007 in Sydney, Australia, where everyone is asked to turn off their lights for an hour. It was as easy as that. It was a very successful outcome, as they had reduced 10.2% of their energy usage for that day. Can you imagine if just for one hour a day, we observed just that - we will be saving a lot of energy, coal supplies can last longer and excessive CO2 emission will not be such a scary phenomenon.

SO, this year, WWF has made the Earth Hour a global movement. Ladies and gentlemen, that means we, who are not in Sydney, WILL play our part in the Earth Hour. All we have to do is not consume any electricity for an hour, 8-9pm, on Saturday, March 29th. It is as easy as that. Maybe some of us will think - aiyoh, no electricity for an hour beh tong lah - but hei, there are so many things we can do without electricity. Call some friends and go out for mamak - they can make teh tarik without electricity. Or light some candles and hang out at home with family and friends. Or just go sleep early. *bleh*

While major cities like Chicago, New York, Bangkok, Toronto, and Sydney are the ones who are directly involved, that does not mean those of us not living in the city should not participate. In fact, MSU has taken a step further. There will be an MSU Dim Down hour from 12pm to 1pm on Friday, where everyone are encouraged to turn of their lights. That is definitely not a problem in BPS since we have huge windows that allow sunlight to come through.

As for those back in Malaysia, don't be 'whatever-lah' because none of our cities is officially affiliated with the movement. There are supporters all over so let us all play our role!