Earth Hour

geordie_joe

devil30 wrote: »

I read this this morning, after I saw the google webpage, thanks. It just seems a bit gimmicky to me. I do try to be environmentally friendly (this goes hand in hand with being money saving at times), but don't see how my sitting in the dark for an hour will achieve this objective.

Or am I completely missing the point?

No doubt many will come on explain, and curse you for not seeing things their way.

What amused me was all the hypocrites that have jumped on the band wagon. Sydney harbour bridge and all the public building that are lit up like Christmas trees to attract the tourists. They are turning the lights off for an hour then turning them back on again. If they really wanted to help, instead of just paying lip service so they look good, they would turn them off permanently.

devil30

geordie_joe wrote: »

What amused me was all the hypocrites that have jumped on the band wagon. Sydney harbour bridge and all the public building that are lit up like Christmas trees to attract the tourists. They are turning the lights off for an hour then turning them back on again. If they really wanted to help, instead of just paying lip service so they look good, they would turn them off permanently.

Wel said. That's what I mean by these things being a gimmick.

MARTINS_DOLL

All I did was to comply with the hour of lights off.

Why the heck am I being slated?

devil30

MARTINS_DOLL wrote: »

All I did was to comply with the hour of lights off.

Why the heck am being slated?

I'm not slating you, MD and I'm sorry if it comes across that way. As i said, I just don't see the point of this - it just comes across as right-on, pc carp (BUT I'm sure you're well intentioned enough).

MARTINS_DOLL

devil30 wrote: »

I'm not slating you, MD and I'm sorry if it comes across that way. As i said, I just don't see the point of this - it just comes across as right-on, pc carp (BUT I'm sure you're well intentioned enough).

Yes, Devil30. I was. Thank you.

geordie_joe

MARTINS_DOLL wrote: »

All I did was to comply with the hour of lights off.

Why the heck am I being slated?

Sorry if you feel slated by me, that was not my intention. My point to was simply, you are protesting about the amount of electricity being used, thus the amount of CO2 being released, by turning the lights off and using candles.

The raw materials to make the candles were transported to a factory in a truck the releases CO2. The factory uses electricity, probably a lot to melt the wax. The candles are then transported to a wholesaler, in a truck again. The wholesaler will use electricity for lighting. heating, computers etc. The candles will then be transported in a truck to a shop. The shop also uses electricity.

I just think you have protested against the amount of CO2 man releases by releasing more than you would have normally done.

I just can't see the sense in it.

PS. When I say "you" I mean everyone who turned the lights off and lit candles. I'm not picking on you specifically as I'm sure you did it with the best of intentions. I just wish people would think before jumping onto a band wagon.

Cornishpixie_2

devil30 wrote: »

I don't understand the point of this. What good will me sitting in the dark for an hour do for the planet?

I didn't know about this thread till now but I did watch casualty(I know sad) in the dark, which I don't usually do. I guess someone must have said once what's the point of recycling? or I can't be bothered, will just use carrier bags. em. Not really one for jumping on the bandwagon but Its about getting the message across it matters.:D

devil30

Cornishpixie wrote: »

Its about getting the message across it matters.:D

But how will sitting in the dark for one hour do this?

And why the need to get the message across? Most people are aware of environmental issues surely, so why the need to raise awareness at this stage? As I've already said on this thread, I do try to do my bit for the environment and I try to do this in a practical, everyday way, not by sitting in the dark for an hour once a year.

littleowl

Well I do believe that one person may not make a difference but thousands - even millions of people will - even if it is only for one hour.

That alone is worthwhile. Just think though that such mass action might result in an increase in awareness of the waste of energy perpetuated every day. Isn't turning off lights as a symbolic action worth it?

geordie_joe

littleowl wrote: »

Well I do believe that one person may not make a difference but thousands - even millions of people will - even if it is only for one hour.

That alone is worthwhile. Just think though that such mass action might result in an increase in awareness of the waste of energy perpetuated every day. Isn't turning off lights as a symbolic action worth it?

Well one of my points was, the biggest wasters of electricity are the people that light up bridges and other building, just to give the tourists something to look at.

Some of these turned the lights off for an hour, just to show solidarity, but then turned them back on again. Proving the whole thing was a waste of time. They listened then paid lip service to it and then ignored it.

If you want to make a difference then spend and hour writing to the Australian tourist board telling them you will not go their until they stop wasting electricity. And all the other places that waste electricity.

People say it was to raise awareness, but the only people who took part were aware of the problem anyway. Name me one person who heard about earth day but didn't already know about global warming/CO2 etc.?