Earth Hour!

It's that time again!!

That time of year when people all around the world switch off their lights (or everything) for an hour as a symbolic show of support for the global environmental movement.

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

(so the video takes a while on dial-up, but it's worth watching if only to see that it's not just a handful of crazed hippies ok? but what is with the lightbulb on nelly furtado's head?!)

Ok, so last year i was out at the time with a group of lovely friends who thought the idea was rather amusing, but kindly flicked the lights off for a minute for me... and this year we will be staying at the in-laws, who may not be exactly keen, so i'll probably end up sitting quietly in another room alone knitting by candlelight ;-) (beeswax candles for those of you who raise the valid point about parrafin candles possibly not being that much better!)

to any fellow bloggers out there who might be keen, there are plenty of resources provided for bloggers on the website, so spread the word!

and dad, i spotted your new home town on that video, so no letting the side down ok? ;-)