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EarthHour.org
Breakout the board games, candles and massage oil (we'll explain that last one in a sec). Don't forget, Earth Hour is tonight and that means lights out at 8:30 p.m. sharp, wherever you are, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Rome’s Coliseum to Times Square, and every earthly place in between.
Finally, the hour is nigh when hundreds of millions of planet Earth lovers will darken their digs in a collective S.O.S for positive climate change. So, are you in, on or off? When you "go vampire" for 60 minutes, you'll instantly conserve energy, and trim your carbon footprint and electric bill. Every little bit counts, especially when an estimated 1 billion of us simultaneously switch off and VOTE EARTH.
So, you're sold on flipping off the lights (and any other electronics and/or vampire appliances you can temporarily shut down), but how will you spend Earth Hour? Hopefully not zoned on a PSP, iPhone or some other electronic distraction. Try one of these green-tainment options from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.:
1. Party like a vampire bat. Hundreds of participating cities throughout the U.S., and some 80 countries across the globe, are throwing blackout bashes beneath their darkened skylines. Pack your bags and a no-battery, wind-up flashlight. Here's a complete list.
2. Twinkle, twinkle, little star gazer. More darkness and less light pollution means more celestial bodies to marvel at. Look for these constellations.
3. Koom-by-ya 'round the fireplace or campfire. Fire up the green way with our favorite clean-burning Duraflame alternative, recycled coffee Java Logs. Break out the acoustic guitar and Yahoo's ecclectic Environmental Song List.
4. Craft by candlelight. Need some ideas? Check out our nifty green crafting how to's, from making your own bees wax candles (to brighten next year's Earth Hour) to reusing glass jars in funky, fun ways or maybe even knit a warm sweater from your own hair!
5. Turn on while your lights are turned off. You know you want to. Glean a green aphrodisiac or two from the DailyGreen's 8 Sexy Ways to Spend Earth Hour. Meow! We smell a wee hugger boom nine months from tonight!
While killing the lights (inside and out) is great, we encourage you to take Earth Hour a few additional watts/volts back by also unplugging: desk lamps, computers, TVs, power strips, alarm clocks, neon ad signs and anything else that sucks power. Participating couldn't be easier. Simply shut off your lights at 8:30 p.m. local time, whichever time zone your in. See you in the dark tonight!
How we can green our Summer
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Update: My family of five observed about 45 minutes or so of Earth Hour. It landed smack dab in the middle of our hectic bedtime routine. One of the kids (ironically yet predictably the eldest of the three) was scared w/o the nightlight on in the bathroom, as it usually is every night. I sat with him in his bed for the rest of Earth Hour. The light pollution from our neighbors, who apparently either didn't know about Earth Hour or did and didn't observe it, was enough to see around the room. I was thinking, "Hey, we should do this once or twice a week for an hour or two." We'll see. How did you spend your Earth Hour? Also, anyone know an eco alternatives to running a fan for background noise all night and burning a big, bright nightlight all night? Thanks!
We all went to the park near our house. First we turned off all our lights and power bars. We took the dog and headed out. The dog was probably the most excited about the whole thing. On the far side of the tennis courts, you could get a good view of the city. We sat for the hour and just watched over the city. There was still more light than you would really want, with street lights, the lights at the seniors homes, the corner store, and some household lights. But the downtown core was darker than usual. And we sat, including the dog. I had my camera and took some time-exposures. My son played with being in the photo for some of the time, then moving out.
My son and his girlfriend were completely committed to the whole thing.
I have posted a couple of photos - of my ghostly son (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjmcadie/3394972254/), and of the darker (not dark) city (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjmcadie/3393281721/in/photo...).
I'm already thinking about where to be next year to get some better photos.
Just checked out your Flickr photos. Are you a member of our fantabulous SuperEco flickr group??? I'll have to check. If not, please do sign up. Your photos are amazing!
Sounds like you had a fun Earth Hour last night. We did, too, though considerably lower key than yours. I took the opportunity to bore my 8-year-old with a historical spiel about the invention of electricity and the light bulb. Actually, he seemed to like our little talk.
It's funny that you mention how much your dog dug Earth Hour. My cats were a little skittish and confused.
Thanks for sharing your Earth Hour 09 with us, Patricia! Catch you next time.
Kim,
Trish is one of our flickr group administrators :) We love her!!
I have just read that Toronto (my city) registered a 15% drop in energy consumption during Earth Hour. That is the biggest drop in Canada. Yay, Toronto!!