Ika 28 ng Marso 2009: In Observance of the Earth Hour

Brainchild's break...........

Last year, our household switched off our light for an hour in observance of the Earth Hour. Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. Last year 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 our home, there was a clash of will as ED did not share the enthusiasm of the family. She would at times be uncooperative in such endeavors which is a source of conflict between us. My own karma, perhaps, for my rebellious years. Last year, she was testing my patience and was on her laptop up until the set time despite my and her brother's pleas. I stood my ground and forced her to turn her laptop off..... not without her protestation. She would question why we should participate and I just kept my patience. Had she still been a child, she could have gotten a good spanking right there and then. She settled quietly after sometime.

MD and hubby were in the living room vegging out the whole time. MS and I were in our pocket garden talking about the significance of the Earth Hour. He curiously listened to my explanation about global warming and how its effects could have dire consequences for mankind. We kept a small bonfire of dried twigs and neem leaves as we discussed. MD would remind me that burning is also bad for the environment. There was another reason I was doing that. Mosquitoes abound in the summer months and the smell of burning neem leaves help keep them away.

I wasn't sure how many household in our village participated as it was business as usual for some. The news the following day mentioned that major malls participated and that there was a significant drop in electricity consumption in last year's Earth Hour.

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.

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's 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.

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.

PS: Nagpapagawa daw ng bahay kubo ang anak kong bunso sa boy namin. Nakita ko kasi sa gilid ng bahay ang boy namin na nagtatayo na ng poste na galing sa naputol na puno. Sabi sa kin, pinapagawa nga daw ng anak ko na bahay kubo. Magandang ideya din at magkakaron ng laruan at pahingahan. Nakakatuwa din at pinagbibigyan ng boy ko yun kahilinagn ng anak ko sa ganon bagay. Sadya lang kayang masunurin yun boy namin o dahil hindi lang niya mahindian ang anak ko na nagpakita ng mabuting kalooban sa kanya minsan?