Sunday, March 30, 2008 Cabaero: Lights out By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
ANYONE cursing the scorching heat these days must know a bit about the causes of the drastic temperature changes. Global warming.
Global warming is getting the blame for the more than usual heat this summer and the stronger than usual downpours during wet seasons.
It used to be a term reserved for environmentalists and climatologists but the evening news, movies, books and commentaries have lately found it necessary or part of their responsibility to tackle this issue. Global warming.
Sometimes it needs repetition to make a phrase stick to the people’s minds. At other times it requires a shocking video documentary or a televised protest march. Well, this time, it required the simultaneous turning off of lights.
One method devised by advocates for action against global warming has a unique way of seeking awareness of people around the globe. Last night, from 8 to 9 o’clock, some houses and offices went dark. (I suppose they did. An early deadline for this column prevented me from witnessing it.)
The same was expected to happen in other cities around the world when, at 8 p.m. local time, they were supposed to turn off their lights for an hour in a show of solidarity for the environment. Organizers said that shutting off the lights for even just an hour would promote saving electricity and the lowering of carbon emissions.
The Earth Hour website at www.earthhour.org says coal-fired electricity is the biggest contributor to global warming. The website said the first celebration was held in Sydney, Australia, last year. The turning off of its lights on March 31 last year resulted in a 10.20 percent energy reduction across Sydney.
This way of calling attention to the dangers of global warming has caught in turn the attention of 35 nations where Earth Hour will be implemented at 8 p.m. local time on March 29, 2008. (Saturday in the Philippines)
The lights-out campaign might be too small to make an impact on the environment but with millions of households and offices joining in, this little act might have big results in terms of awareness. As the organizers said, this small act will still count.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has urged Filipinos to join the event to amend for “ecological sins” they have committed. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said, “Today we start a journey of hope for our earth, so battered and exploited by its inhabitants. We begin to amend our ecological sins, and while there is still time, do something to reverse the tide of destruction that modern life and human selfishness have wrought on it.”
The bishops want families to gather in that one hour and pray the holy rosary for Mother Earth.
***
For those who were unable to join the 8 p.m. switch-off yesterday, they could still visit the website at www.earthhour.org and sign up to receive tools on how to make an impact and save the earth.
