Lights Out for the World

On March 30, 2008, certain key figures in Canada organized the second major “Earth Hour”. Cities across the globe cut their electricity for 60 minutes. Restaurants functioned by candle light. People sat in the dark and contemplated our planet’s fate. This noble gesture was supposed to bring a message of energy conservation to the rest of us. But who are the rest of us?

The biggest percentage of people on the globe live hand to mouth. Some working long hours for minimal pay. Others live crowded together in third world countries where survival is foremost and their energy expenditure is .001% of what it takes for a politician to drive his Jaguar to the office on any given day. Like many other noble causes- we “rob Peter to pay Paul”. Large rock concerts with glamorous superstars are held to feed the world’s hungry but after everyone involved gets their cut of the money, the enormous power bill is paid, the transportation costs are covered, and all the stars get their publicity- the world goes on starving but nobody sees the end result.

We get our egos stroked by thinking we are really making a an impact for a short time. Maybe it is so. But wouldn’t it be better to really make a difference? Many of us love the environment and want to see it preserved. But what I want more is to see action by those people who tell us what we should be doing to save it- Who has solar power installed in their houses? Who rides their bike to work each day? Who recycles their plastic bottles? Who plants trees to increase the atmospheres oxygen? Who invests in renewable energy research? Who carpools to work? Who helps clean up trash on the side of the road? Who refuses to add more trash to our city parks? These are the people to listen to.

Here in Eastern Europe, sunlight is used for as many hours in the day as possible. After that, everyone goes groping around in the dark. It is very depressing at times but has taught me a valuable lesson. Every single moment of energy is precious. My morning coffee, my work on computer, a favorite movie, a bathroom light in a hot steamy shower. A few microwaves. No five star hotel. No vacations in Maui. No red carpet million dollar reception. So in this country I didn’t turn off my lights this year. I gloried in the simple single light bulb of my primitive kitchen and cooked potatoes over a gas fire. I suppose it is a good thing that major cities and corporations have found a new awareness. Is it lasting? Is it permanent? Is it enough to stem the tide and save us from global warming? (which is in fact global cooling as the snow falls with a vengeance in April).

So whats next? One hour of no cars on the road? Bicycle day? A world recycle-a thon to turn in old cell phone batteries, computer parts, paint thinners, household toxic waste? What can the ordinary person really do to stem the tide of destruction?