Earth Hour in Beijing

After landing in Beijing, I talked with a Gen Y (26 years old) named Wilma who mentioned she would be observing Earth Hour. In less than 12 hours, it will be Earth Hour. No matter where you are in the world, at 8:30pm on March 28th, you are supposed to turn off your lights and reduce your use of electricity. I heard of this in the U.S. as a way to recognize the impact of human life on the environment, but know of no one who will be observing this challenge. It struck me that my Chinese host Wilma was trying to tie in to the interconnected world with me. She assumed that this is a worldwide phenomena, perhaps akin to celebrate the New Year's Eve with fireworks or balls dropping all over the world. Is Earth Hour something only Gen Ys care to celebrate?

Stay tuned....I will let you know if I see a darkening of the buildings in Beijing tonight. Also, I will let you know what else is on Wilma's mind, a newlywed who has her own apartment.

Comments

[BusGreg]

While this is all fine and good, what is the benefit of doing this for one hour only? From reusing grocery bags to car pooling, from conserving daily at home to reducing waste at work is a 24-7-365 endeavor, not an annual 1 hour feel good exercise, when the next day many go back to the old ways for the remaining 8759 hours of the year!

[Blythe McGarvie - Huffpost Blogger]

Beijing Earth Hour is a Joke

I think the one hour dimming of the lights is ridiculous too. Let's worry about what really matters: sustainability efforts to reduce electrity and energy uses. I received the following propaganda in a note from the hotel manager, slipped under the door in my hotel room in Beijing:

"China the world's fastest developing econmy, will signal to the rest of the world its readiness to address the issue of clmate change. At 8:30pm the lights will go dark for Earth Hour on the Bird's Nest Stadium, the Water Cube, Ling Long Tower and Pangu Plaza in Beijing....we will be switching our facade lighting off for Earth Hour. Essential lighting will remain on in all of our public areas and the light in in your rooms will not be affected."

I guess being personally affected was never the point of Earth Hour!
No pain, no gain applies in this case!


Blythe McGarvie

[AngieMom57]

The Sunday Vegan Brunch After Earth Hour

Hazelnut Kudzu Amasaki Porridge w/honey cinnamon almond slivers
Fried Dulse
Steamed Mixed Greens w/Sesame Tahini Dressing

Fresh Squeezed Apple, Carrot, Beet, Ginger, Celery juice.

[Francis Flavin]

Earth hour?? Sounds interesting--I'll check on things here in Washington, D.C. On a Saturday night, most government buildings and business offices will be dark, but I'll keep my eye on residential areas and the dining and entertainment districts downtown.

Yesterday, the Washington Post published an article stating that "the lights are going down from the Great Pyramids to the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower to Sears Tower, as more than 2,800 municipalities in 84 countries plan Saturday to mark the second worldwide Earth Hour."

Here's the URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032700441.html