Enviro-mental

On March 29, 2008, turn out the lights and unplug. For 60 minutes - can you do it?

When I first heard about Earth Hour I was befuddled. What is the point? Light in the form of candles (or lighters, or now cell phones) is a sign of solidarity. Taking that light away - will it be as powerful?

Apparently it is. Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia to “inspire people to take action on climate change”. Symbolism aside, that one hour in 2007 saw (or rather, left in the darkness) 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses, saving the energetic equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.

Major cities around the world - Melbourne, Toronto and Copenhagen, for example - are participating in the 2008 world Earth Hour. But of course smaller cities can (and should) be involved too.

So, how do you get involved?

• Turn off your lights (and ideally, computers and other energy-using appliances) at 8 p.m. local time on March 29, 2008.
• tell your friends. If your real-life friends tune out, try networking or posting a link through Myspace or Facebook.
• If your community is not yet participating, have it added to Earth Hour’s list.
• To kill time until March 29, check out the Earth Hour supporter map - a 3D look at where in the world people are participating. Ironically, they are represented by lighted dots.