Earth Hour 2009, Bandos Maldives - Image © Nattu

Not a day goes by without us being reminded of the pressing issue of global warming. We constantly hear of it on the radio, on television news programmes, documentaries, and even through our politicians. News of animals, such as polar bears, becoming extinct due to loss of habitats has escalated to an all-time high. Nevertheless, although the topic of global warming relentlessly finds its way into our ears, it does not seem to find its way into our hands and hearts.
However, all that changed yesterday with a simple yet profound act organized by WWF’s Earth Hour. From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., lights around the world were turned off one by one as hundreds of millions of people cast a unanimous vote for the fight against global warming.

According to Earthhour.org, over 4,000 cities and towns across 88 countries around the world participated in this year’s biggest global lights out event. A substantial amount of infamous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Empire State Building in New York City, and even Niagara Falls went dark in a global bid to save the world that we live in for future generations. An unforgettable and uncanny sight presented itself to the eyes of Americans in metropolises such as New York City and Los Angeles, as the lights were dimmed down in offices and skyscrapers, accentuating the glimmering stars in the sky above.

As time zone after time zone went dark, people around the world came out with candles in celebration of earth and life. Some gathered in various rituals sending off magical-looking sky lanterns into the sky, while others danced in the glimmer of candlelight. Those who preferred to steer clear of the festivities in the streets celebrated in their own creative fashion from candlelit yoga to candlelight dinners. In London, people assembled to watch an all-female comedy team perform at the Mahiki as part of the Green Comedy Night, as well as a spectacular demonstration of wind-powered lights called Firewinders on Primose Hill.

According to an interview with Allianz, Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley remarked, “There is no doubt that Earth Hour is about symbolism. After all, it is only one hour in the year. We know that is not going to save the planet. But look at the campaign for women’s suffrage. Symbols were important.”

“If people in Brazil see people in the U.S. or China doing the same thing they can all act together. Most people want to deal with climate change, but unless everyone crosses the line together it is going to be really hard,” he added.

The country that had the honorary role of turning off its lights first was Fiji, and was soon after followed by New Zealand. As noted by New Zealand’s Earth Hour organizer, Dairne Poole, “Even though we are a small nation, we are setting an important example for others to witness and hopefully follow.”

Although Earth Hour has passed, there are still many ways in which you can take a small step toward a greater action for earth and the life forms striving to live in it.

Whether you are Allianz or Andy Ridley the way you approach your life and business—use lights less, turn off the standby on TVs and computers, recycle more often—makes a difference, although we are not saying: ‘go and live in a cave and eat cold beans,”’Ridley remarked. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, so click on www.earthhour.org and find out how you can make a difference.