NationStates Jolt Archive

Earth Hour (http://www.earthhour.org/)

So anyone taking part?

Basically the idea is to turn off your power for one hour to save a lot of energy. Worthy cause or silly idea?

I may take part but then again I'm at my parents and they may not agree to it.

I will turn on 5 lights for every one turned off.

For some reason the link isn't working, the idea is an interesting one, maybe.
I'd like to see an earth no car day, that would be brilliant.

I will turn on 5 lights for every one turned off.

I take it you also routinely toss non-biodegradable trash out your car window, too?

Link should now work. Apparently last year enough people took part that the effect they had of reducing carbon admissions would be the same as taking over 47000 cars off the road for a year.

Possibly. Although I might not be at home, so meh...

What are you supposed to de with no electricity? Use candles to read or stare at each other?

I take it you also routinely toss non-biodegradable trash out your car window, too?

They tried something like that a few weeks ago. There was some guy who illuminated his restaurant with floodlights. He argued he was protesting it because it was just a hypocritical, useless action.

Considering how little impact eDay had, I might not bother unless it is well publicised.

I will turn on 5 lights for every one turned off.

I have an infinitely better idea, burn the house down, burn it all.

Possibly. Although I might not be at home, so meh...

What are you supposed to de with no electricity? Use candles to read or stare at each other?

like actually socialise with other people? yeah that's way to much to ask.:rolleyes:
besides candles add a romantic flare.

No, thanks. Nice gestures don't impress mother nature, as it were. She's a rather demanding one.

Silly idea, people will turn their lights off for an hour and that's it. All it will accomplish is making people feel a misguided sense of pride because they have "done something to combat climate change". We already know how much energy can be saved by turning off a certain number of lights or taking a certain number of cars off the road, perhaps it's time that people and more importantly, companies and governments start implementing proper changes to consistantly reduce energy consumption. The last Earth hour can't have done much simply because they feel the need to have another one.

Silly idea, people will turn their lights off for an hour and that's it. All it will accomplish is making people feel a misguided sense of pride because they have "done something to combat climate change". We already know how much energy can be saved by turning off a certain number of lights or taking a certain number of cars off the road, perhaps it's time that people and more importantly, companies and governments start implementing proper changes to consistantly reduce energy consumption. The last Earth hour can't have done much simply because they feel the need to have another one.

well i doubt it's purely for the practical element of energy saving, i think it's more to do with implementing the idea into people's heads and get them thinking, but you're right it is a bit unfair for this to happen to us. still it's only 1 hour in a year, and i do use the computer a bit too much, don't know about you.
Maybe it's about getting your possessions to listen to you, and not you listen to your possessions.

I take it you also routinely toss non-biodegradable trash out your car window, too?

I won't buy anything unless it's packaged completely in Styrofoam.

like actually socialise with other people? yeah that's way to much to ask.:rolleyes:
Well, yeah, I mean who actually wants to interact with other people in person?
besides candles add a romantic flare.
:eek:

No, thanks. Nice gestures don't impress mother nature, as it were. She's a rather demanding one.

I know, she's such a bitch.

...i think it's more to do with implementing the idea into people's heads and get them thinking...
Yeah, you see, I don't take kindly to people walking around "implementing" ideas into my head and reeducating me. I'm quite capable of doing that myself.

well i doubt it's purely for the practical element of energy saving, i think it's more to do with implementing the idea into people's heads and get them thinking, but you're right it is a bit unfair for this to happen to us. still it's only 1 hour in a year, and i do use the computer a bit too much, don't know about you.
Maybe it's about getting your possessions to listen to you, and not you listen to your possessions.

That's not really what my point was. My point was that I do not believe that it will get the idea into people's heads. They will turn their electric appliances off for an hour and then go back to living in exactly the same way. Damn, i've just realised how cynical i've become :headbang:

Yeah, you see, I don't take kindly to people walking around "implementing" ideas into my head and reeducating me. I'm quite capable of doing that myself.

oh really. and who told you that then? (not meant as a snipe, more as a philosophical observation)
Well it might not necessarily be aimed at you, more at people who use too much energy i suppose.

That's not really what my point was. My point was that I do not believe that it will get the idea into people's heads. They will turn their electric appliances off for an hour and then go back to living in exactly the same way. Damn, i've just realised how cynical i've become :headbang:

Well i think it's trying to implement the people power idea, that large numbers of people who wish to stop destruction of the planet, they could call it the candle dinner hour or something.

I take it you also routinely toss non-biodegradable trash out your car window, too?

Word.

I know, she's such a bitch.

She got a restraining order on me. It's like, damn, ho, I don't even want to talk to you anymore, right?

Word.

Best. First. Post. EVAR!

Earth Hour (http://www.earthhour.org/)

It's a feelgood gesture. The figures from last time showed a noticable drop in Sydney ... but then a surge afterwards as people boiled the kettle or turned the aircon back on.

Only a small proportion of household power consumption is lighting. Apart from free-to-air TV, all the other uses are simply displaced from that hour to some other time. People don't skip the hot bath or cooking dinner, they just have it earlier or later.

And sitting by candlelight probably creates more emissions than having a light on, unless you're making your own candles from the beehive.

Yes, I'll be doing it. I'm just not kidding myself that it makes a real difference.

oh really. and who told you that then? (not meant as a snipe, more as a philosophical observation)
No one I didn't choose to talk to voluntarily, without fear of legal or social reprisal if I don't.

Things like earth hour are social engineering projects, aimed at making people feel good about taking part and therefore start acting differently towards those that don't. You can agree with the goal, but I for one am not a fan of the methods. Either there is an argument to be made with facts or not. If there is, adding earth hour cheapens the argument and basically puts it to us that we're too stupid to be convinced by facts. And if there isn't, then trying to use social pressures to make us conform is just plain wrong.

Well it might not necessarily be aimed at you, more at people who use too much energy i suppose.
Australians generate more greenhouse gases per capita than pretty much anyone else. So yeah, maybe it is aimed at me.

A silly idea. And if Tactical Grace were still here today he would say Power Engineers would be cursing the people who came up with this idea as they have to predict how to prepare the electricity grid for such an unpredictable event (they have no idea how many people will be participating).

a well known fact is when there are power cuts hospitals notice a surge a few months later in babies born

the enviromental movement is out to get me!

like actually socialise with other people? yeah that's way to much to ask.:rolleyes:
besides candles add a romantic flare.
What the bloody hell is socialising?

It's right in the middle of
Hockey Night In Canada
for crying out loud,I ;)don't think so!

She got a restraining order on me. It's like, damn, ho, I don't even want to talk to you anymore, right?

You should set her car on fire.

You should set her car on fire.

I'll use a lot of wood, unrefined oil, and baby seals as fuel.

Silly idea, after this I highly doubt people are all of a sudden going to be more environmentally aware of their actions after 9pm they will turn the lights back on and think that they have done some good.

I find it very hypocritical of all the big business who have signed up to this and say how important the environment is and how we all need to protect it. You see their lights on all weekend in their big office towers when no one is there not to mention all of those computers and computer screens they leave on 24 hours a day, how much power is wasted? and how much damage does it do to the environment? Of course the only reason they do sign up and tout this rubbish is to try and garner more business

Bah... It damages more than it prevents:

My personal rule is not to partake in activities that do nothing more than further some radical 'environmentalists' political agenda.

You would save far more electricity/help the environment if people just turned off appliances & lights when you weren't using them and cut out plastic bags. As mentioned, it only offsets the use, doesn't eliminate it.

It's just a feel good so that on Monday when they are driving their Ford F250 into work, they will be able to reason with themselves that they are actually good because they turned off a couple of lights for an hour.

OK, I just did it.

I decided to meditate for Earth Hour. Then I had a little nap. Then the crazy teenagers over the road woke me up ...

They're still having some kind of squealing contest and don't seem to know, or care, that Earth Hour is over. :D

What the bloody hell is socialising?

It's when people try to communicate to each other by speaking in the same room about the same thing. it usually works well when they're both very drunk.
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=552931
oh and i saw this copy thread, so well i guess a mod can merge the two at some point.

Earth Hour (http://www.earthhour.org/)

So anyone taking part?

Basically the idea is to turn off your power for one hour to save a lot of energy. Worthy cause or silly idea?

I may take part but then again I'm at my parents and they may not agree to it.

Ok, so while you guys are taking part in this silly thing, I will be over here investing in the Chevy Volt and planning out my Solar Powered fuel station for the Chevy Volt.

Now...should I put the Solar Panels on the roof or the side of the house.... hmmm.

A useless guesture.
Also, which cars are they talking about? If its the equivilant of taking 47000 hybrids off the road, thats not a big difference. In fact, saying that most people here in the US have a least one car and many have 2(I'm guessing similar numbers for Europe, correct me if I'm wrong) thats not a big difference.

A useless guesture.
Also, which cars are they talking about? If its the equivilant of taking 47000 hybrids off the road, thats not a big difference. In fact, saying that most people here in the US have a least one car and many have 2(I'm guessing similar numbers for Europe, correct me if I'm wrong) thats not a big difference.

I don't think it's about cars, it's to do with not using electricity for 1 hour on 31st of March.

I don't think it's about cars, it's to do with not using electricity for 1 hour on 31st of March.

Er, no. It was 29 March (saturday). That was last night here.

Just for a moment I thought I'd been stooged, and I was the only one turning all my electricals off.

I think it was worthwhile. I learnt one thing: I was a lot more tired than I realized. Without all the audiovisual stuff and NSG, I fell asleep almost right away :)

I don't think it's about cars, it's to do with not using electricity for 1 hour on 31st of March.
It is about energy and it was today.

We celebrated by turning on every light in the house and yard. I couldn't figure out how to get the Air Conditioning and Heating to run simultaneously, so we just left that off.

I did pour a quart of bilge oil in the lake to honor Teddy Kennedy, though.

Er, no. It was 29 March (saturday). That was last night here.

Just for a moment I thought I'd been stooged, and I was the only one turning all my electricals off.

I think it was worthwhile. I learnt one thing: I was a lot more tired than I realized. Without all the audiovisual stuff and NSG, I fell asleep almost right away :)
Really? oh damn meh i'll put it on my to-do list.
It is about energy and it was today.

We celebrated by turning on every light in the house and yard. I couldn't figure out how to get the Air Conditioning and Heating to run simultaneously, so we just left that off.

I did pour a quart of bilge oil in the lake to honor Teddy Kennedy, though.

huh?:confused:

I'll quote a David Chappelle skit about Earth Hour.

"That's the gayest shit I've ever heard"

I'm very disappointed in Google for taking part in this token nonsense.

It is about energy and it was today.

We celebrated by turning on every light in the house and yard. I couldn't figure out how to get the Air Conditioning and Heating to run simultaneously, so we just left that off.

I did pour a quart of bilge oil in the lake to honor Teddy Kennedy, though.

:D

==============

I'll quote a David Chappelle skit about Earth Hour.

"That's the gayest shit I've ever heard"

I'm very disappointed in Google for taking part in this token nonsense.

Really? Isn't their motto "do no evil"? How do they do evil by taking part?

It is curious how most of the responses to this thread are openly hostile to something which is harmless and voluntary. Anyone would think you're having pangs of guilt or something ...

I'll quote a David Chappelle skit about Earth Hour.

"That's the gayest shit I've ever heard"

I'm very disappointed in Google for taking part in this token nonsense.

As opposed to people like you who'd prefer we burn coal non-stop until we kill the planet?

Yet more terribly fashionable "lets all be green and middle class together" posturing.

Why not actually do something vaguely worthwhile and boycott the sort of industries wose actions influence the environment?

As opposed to people like you who'd prefer we burn coal non-stop until we kill the planet?

Nice Strawman, too bad it's not anatomically correct.

*burns Strawman*

So everyone is supposed to turn their lights off for an hour? And this accomplishes what, exactly?

Earth Day is a problem too. It was started to make people aware of the environmental crisis that we were facing some 30 or so years ago. Is it a real crisis today whereas it wasn't really a crisis back then or is it more of a crisis now or the same crisis? And what has been done in the past 30 years to address this crisis aside from protesting and proclaiming the end of the world is nigh? I know there has been some progress toward cleaner reliable forms of energy suitable for base loads but the ecolluminati seem to have tarred and feathered it along with tampering with the genes of food crops to make them more efficient. So if we can't have power or food then what do you, the ecolluminati, suggest we do? Lock ourselves in little closets and sit in the dark whilst we stop eating, drinking, and breathing until we die and rot?

Are we to purchase Suave Blanco (my new Mexican nightclub identity) CFLs and try to pretend we enjoy the sickly color of a smoker's teeth bathing our rooms? Will we have to pray to the garbage gods and spend all of our time sorting and cleaning filth and refuse instead of being productive? Should we return to the trees and do battle by flining our shit like angry chimps? What will it take to appease the eco-correct?

I already keep my power off around eight hours/day, sometimes 10 hours on the weekends. Where's my medal?

Yet more terribly fashionable "lets all be green and middle class together" posturing.

Why not actually do something vaguely worthwhile and boycott the sort of industries wose actions influence the environment?

It's a demonstration. Just as when people take an hour or two of their leisure time and march in the street to show their support or opposition to something, it's a proof that they care enough about it to make a small sacrifice.

You saying "oh, I can't be bothered doing that, but you people should make MORE sacrifices for what you believe in" is ... rather ridiculous really.

You know that some people DO make more serious sacrifices for this issue, right? Sacrifices like not owning or not driving a car, not eating deep-sea fish, not eating meat, not owning a plasma-screen TV ... "greenness" is at least a small factor in many people's buying decisions and that DOES have an effect even if they aren't boycotting a whole class of products.

:D

Really? Isn't their motto "do no evil"? How do they do evil by taking part?

It is curious how most of the responses to this thread are openly hostile to something which is harmless and voluntary. Anyone would think you're having pangs of guilt or something ...

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Google's founders build a custom jumbo jet?

And I'm not being openly hostile. I'm saying clearly that this is meaningless.

The environmental issues will not be solved by this nonsense, only the introduction of clean and efficient fuel. Let Google use it's billions to help bring that about instead of this token nonsense.

Earth Hour (http://www.earthhour.org/)

So anyone taking part?

Basically the idea is to turn off your power for one hour to save a lot of energy. Worthy cause or silly idea?

I may take part but then again I'm at my parents and they may not agree to it.

I think it's more to make a statement than to really save energy. Like others have said, you save much more energy at home when you're not there.

It is about energy and it was today.

We celebrated by turning on every light in the house and yard. I couldn't figure out how to get the Air Conditioning and Heating to run simultaneously, so we just left that off.

I did pour a quart of bilge oil in the lake to honor Teddy Kennedy, though.

Good man. You should get a medal.

As opposed to people like you who'd prefer we burn coal non-stop until we kill the planet?

That would take a lot of coal.

We can kill it faster if we use mako. So, who wants to be the first SOLDIER?

I'm very disappointed in Google for taking part in this token nonsense.

Freaked me out when it first loaded up. Real LOLwut moment.

I didn't participate in Earth Hour, mainly because there are other issues that are more important that we need to be concerned about, such as this

http://libertyscott.blogspot.com/2008/03/pity-those-who-cant-avoid-earth-hour.html

I didn't participate in Earth Hour, mainly because there are other issues that are more important that we need to be concerned about, such as this

http://libertyscott.blogspot.com/2008/03/pity-those-who-cant-avoid-earth-hour.html

Yeah. :( Good luck to those trying to make people aware about these things and take action to change them. Many people simply do not have such a broad perspective or inclination to care.

I turned on every light in the house and in the garage for Earth Hour.

I turned on every light in the house and in the garage for Earth Hour.

I'm fine with that. It's obviously your right to do so.

You made a counter-protest. You made an effort to counteract the gesture others were making, in fact. If enough people do that, we can just re-name it "Anti-Earth Hour." If enough people feel that way, and are prepared to pay more on their power bill to make a statement, you could perhaps cause brownouts or even a city-wide blackout.

Go ahead. Send your message to our politicians. "We are in favour of global warming, we're in favour of cheap dirty power! Build us coal-fired power stations NOW, or next year we'll hold Anti-Earth WEEK!"

I fail to see what turning off lights will do. The power is still being produced at the powerplant, and pumped into the grid, if no one uses it, it's just wasted.

I fail to see what turning off lights will do. The power is still being produced at the powerplant, and pumped into the grid, if no one uses it, it's just wasted.

Have you seen in shops, there are these little plastic things like plug, but with no wire coming out? They have the prongs to go in the socket, but they're made of plastic.

You need to buy lots of them, they stop the electricity leaking out of the power sockets. Put one in teh sockets that doesn't have plug in, or else teh power will leak out and ... oh, some bad thing.

Impotent. To save palent. Do now!@

Go ahead. Send your message to our politicians. "We are in favour of global warming, we're in favour of cheap dirty power! Build us coal-fired power stations NOW, or next year we'll hold Anti-Earth WEEK!"

That's not the point, and I'm sure you know it.

The problem with Earth Hour is similar to carbon credits. Basically, it's another sop for affluent people to feel as if they're making a difference. it's much easier than doing what is required.

The kind of people who say "I went to a Save The Earth rally but I couldn't find a parking spot for my 4 wheel drive. They need to make a bigger parking lot there."