I participated in Earth Hour last night, I feel greatly honoured to have taken part in something so meaningful with millions of people around the world... such unity for our precious earth is a truly beautiful thing. I would love to hear if any one else took part? What are your thoughts on Earth Hour?


Much Peace and Sunshine

I totally missed it, was talking with a friend and didnt realize it was time already... but yeah anything that is towards energy saving, Im all for it! I just hope people dont think that participating in this once a year is enough (not you of course, aegle ) , we have to always try to save energy and not waste

Endlessness

I'm sorry you missed it my friend but there's always next year...

Indeed I couldn't agree more there needs to be a complete shift within the consciousness of society and a massive change in the way that it thinks for things to really change...


Much Peace and Compassion

I partook, but I've been groaning and griping about earth hour since I first heard about it. I think it's really cool that some of the world's most famous buildings were dark and whatnot, but as much as this event is supposed to raise consciousness, I just don't see it that way. It's a piddly little step that most people who participate in it turn around and go back to "normal" life after the hour's over. Then there are the people who just declare it as stupid and don't stop to think at all. I have roommates with exactly these sentiments and have seen how other people act towards these "Earth periods of time". Obviously my roommate's argument of "This is stupid" had no merit as he had no supporting argument (he couldn't/didn't even make the argument that he does this kind of stuff in his daily life, just deemed it "stupid" to participate in earth hour because it changes nothing) and basically it seemed as though the sanctioned hour just polarized him against it. And, if you look at the news, there was at least one politician with this same bent (side note, did anyone see Sarah Palin's speech in Nevada? Holy shit, you wanna talk about scary, empty-worded speeches, watch it. I'm terrified if she's running for president, I know there's an infinitesimal chance she gets elected, but if she does... )

I don't think it's a bad thing, I just think it's a misguided expenditure of human energy. What about if instead of focusing all the energy/money/time that went into this the organizers and participants had launched an awareness campaign to address the root causes that make such an earth hour necessary? I mean, I'm not suggesting it will revolutionize the world, but an earth hour is not connected to anything. There are people, however, who are merely ignorant of some of the ways the world works and if you show them the little things they can do, it would be possible to affect not only deeper change, but potentially more long-lasting, habitual change in the way people carry on their daily lives. Obviously we have a long way to go, and an earth hour only scratches the very tip, but what about at least following it up with an earth week? Do something so that it's not an isolated event. Do something to make people tie it into their daily routine in their minds. This clear separation of earth hour is really self defeating, imo. It creates just enough space between earth hour and daily life, as well as any sort of other conservation awareness to make the hour itself almost maddening (mainly in the case of those individuals who view this hour as "enough" ) daiyenu (sorry jews, i just couldn't resist!).

Sorry for the rant, I support earth hour, I just feel that at this stage in the game, this is nowhere near what a "small" awareness event should be. And, clearly, with all the social networking stuff, these things are relatively easy to set up and spread out, so why not aim big? I can only hope that in the future there will be a more dramatic call for public awareness.

I didn't even know about an Earth Hour.

SnozzleBerry

I understand where you are coming from completely, i think Earth Hour plants seeds within minds but there is no point in planting seeds and never watering them or nurturing them. I truly feel there needs to be a mass shift within consciousness and understanding before things can really change. We as a society need to stand up for our earth and environment on a daily basis not only for one hour once year...


Much Peace and Rainbows

Dimitrius

Now you know... <3


Much Peace and Compassion

Actually we need technology that means people don't have to have a shift in perception. Not that I don't have faith in mankind... well actually I don't. I have faith in individuals, but I hear people talking so much bull shit over the years that I'm not going to see any changes in my life time that aren't legislated.

As long as there is money to be made out of energy there's no chance of that legislation occuring.

All you can do as an individual is either get off the grid, change to a renewable energy supplier, cry about it or live in a cave.

That's my negative rant for the day

Soulfood

I wasn't referring to moving away from technology when i was stating there needs to be a shift in consciousness, I was referring to the general lack of awareness about environmental issues and the mass disconnection people have with the earth. It seems its far easier for people to look the other way and consume and worry about there own personal issues within their own lives.

Hence why I say there needs to be a shift in consciousness, I see this behaviour on a day to day basis and sadly its greatly heartbreaking the only thing that keeps me positive is that I know that i have to be strong if I really want to make a difference eventually, no one can make a difference if they give up. If i can shine my light bright enough hopefully it will be passed onto someone else to shine their own light hence creating a chain of positivity and change.

I do see where you are coming from but the only way in which we can really change things is to continue to be positive and to do everything we can in our own lives to spread awareness through action and information.


Much Peace and Raindrops

Oops I missed it. But every hour is Earth hour to me

Ohayoco

No worries my friend, that's the only way to be...


Much Peace and Happiness