Sunday, March 30, 2008

Off or out...

Earth Hour Lights off or out that is...Did anyone see this black/dark Google? (I didn't as it was only in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland) Their tagline was "We've turned the lights out. Now it's your turn - Earth Hour." Started last year and promoted by the World Wildlife Fund [WWF] and Australian daily broadsheet newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald [SMH] in March 2007 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour. Now it's getting more global support (Wiki link: click on screenshot) Google commented that:

"Given our company's commitment to environmental awareness and energy efficiency, we strongly support the Earth Hour campaign, and have darkened our homepage today to help spread awareness of what we hope will be a highly successful global event."

It was yesterday!...so I'm hoping some of you were aware of it! I've just signed up for next year [official site] although I'm very conscious of waste anyway...except for all the flights I do I might even be considered "green" . Also, by complete coincidence, at the exact time (8pm to 9pm local time) I was sat in the dark for nearly 2 hours with all the lights and appliances at home turned off...good eh?...however I was out in the cinema!

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5 comments:

The Great Gildersleeve said...

Hope the film was good. I'm sorry but I find it very hard to economise on electric especially when at home 24/7.

All my entertainment uses electricity but then again I do not drive a car anymore and so only pop out to the local shops a couple of times a week. Not so good I suppose.

I happened to see Google's screen shot though.

Paul said...

I saw Google as well, have to admit I'm very sceptical about big business doing their bit but grateful at the same time. Loved the fact that the big switch off in New York was broadcast live on TV, who said the Americans can't do irony?

Span Ows said...

LOL! Yes I bet they had huge, heavy searchlights flown in especially to highlight the darkness.

I'm sceptical as well...of the whole thing (global warming) but that doesn't stop me being 'green'. Bit like being more 'Christian' than many Christians.

Paul said...

"Yes I bet they had huge, heavy searchlights flown in especially to highlight the darkness."

That's brilliant Span, that's made my day, I'm in tears laughing at that idea!

The Great Gildersleeve said...

We have a plastic crate that is collected fortnightly that you put glass, tin and paper in...at last they are giving out green bags that I understand you can put plastic into(like the milk bottles)but though you can carry a crate down to the kirbside with your wheelie bin(that is still collected weekly at present)

I have not quite worked out how a recyclable re-useable bag will work as what do you fasten it to in case it blows away? And obviously leaving it say hanging on the door of a house won't work as I assume the bin men won't want to walk up to everyone's home to get it.

We are awaiting delivery of both the bag and our instructions what to do with it.

Like you I believe climate is changing but it always has and always will but I am cynical of much of what I am being told by Government officials and pressure groups.

I'm all for doing my part to save the planet and recycle where possible but don't go over the top as much of the media tries to make us feel guilty.

It was only a few years ago we were being told that we were still coming out of the ice age and probably were heading for another one.