Save the World in 60 Minutes

So . . . in case you didn't know, our annual chance to save the world for the future by shutting off lights for an hour is approaching.  This Saturday marks the return of "Earth Hour" where we all are supposed make a statement by using less electricity for sixty minutes.  What this states I'm not exactly sure, and if you ever need an example of window dressing over (what many people believe to be) a serious problem, here it is.  Yet this meaningless gesture seems to hold a lot of value of many people, so I thought I'd explore the topic.

Earth Hour, sponsored by the WWF (I don't know about you, but when I see that I still think wrestling, which I guess dates me a little; I just can't see Jake the Snake Roberts or the Ultimate Warrior wanting to body-slam global warming), is essentially a chance for everyone to feel like they are doing something positive for the earth without actually sacrificing anything.  As has been pointed out in the blog before, the environment receives more lip service than Charlie Sheen in a brothel.  In a telephone survey, over 80% of people said they support environmental causes, but only 17% would commit to a $100 donation to such causes.  So an event like earth hour, where those noble intentions can be materialized in an easy way, is very appealing.

It's the same with the various blue box/grey box/green bin programs going on across Canada.  Recycling at home has caught on so successfully partially because it allows people to feel like they are making a difference without much work involved.  Big problems like the environment and climate change (assuming you view them as big problems, which despite the popular press is not a universally-held view) can be overwhelming and lead to what is called the "drop in the bucket" effect.  People become demotivated if their actions do not lead to noticeable changes (which is why if you start a diet or exercise regime that the first results become evident quickly - otherwise you are far more likely to stop).  Recycling offers a way for people to feel like their individual actions are part of some larger whole, because we see everyone else's blue boxes outside and full. 

When you look at it, activities like recycling or Earth Hour are mostly harmless, though not entirely.  Just like the honourable intention of replacing incandescent bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs was been given a PR black eye because of the mercury content in the "safer" bulbs, people engage in some harmful activities during Earth Hour.  Lighting candles instead of using electrical light actually creates more emissions (leading to the question of why they just don't have Earth Hour in the daytime, but of course if it's not dark you don't notice the very small sacrifice you are making and therefore don't get as much value out of it). 

But for the most part, there's no harm, and contrary to what you may believe I don't have a problem with anyone else participating in Earth Hour.  Just don't expect me to.  I'd rather make a difference in the world in a way that, you know, actually makes a difference.  As long as it's not too much work, and if I have the time, and if it doesn't cost me anything.