Last night at 8 pm, (March 29th,2008), I was one of millions who stopped consuming...for just one little hour, of one little day in one little year. It sure doesn't sound like a big thing when we reduce it. 1 out of 8760 hours in a year really doesn't sound like anything of significance. It is in fact a minuscule attempt on changing the way we live.

Climate change...what does it matter? Many feel that climate change is just hype. On one side of the scientific world, we have experts claiming that climate change is simply the natural cycle of the world. On the other side of the fence, we have experts claiming that we are on a self destructive course that will spell catastrophe for our children and their children. So, at the end of the day, when we digest all of the information that all of these experts give us...exactly what are we suppose to think about climate change?

As residents of the great land mass known as North America...we lead our planet in consumption. Our consumption is best explained in a great video called "The Story of Stuff", which explains with great simplicity how our consumption not only affects us, but affects the entire world. Of course I'm concerned about the wildlife stranded and dying because their natural habitats have been altered by humans, but I'm extremely concerned about other things as well. The number of human lives lost in "oil driven" wars, the amount of Government dollars dedicated to fight in these wars and kill people, the horrific working conditions in Third World countries producing consumables for North America, the woman and children working for a dollar a day in Mexico...yes I have huge concerns. These countries don't have the emission standards we have, and it's as if we're saying that their lives are somehow less important than ours. As long as we don't see it, we just don't care.

Canada is second to China for the production of hydro-electricity and hydro electricity unlike it's thermo energy counterpart,it is a lot more "greener" and cleaner, since it doesn't use fossil fuels. However, it's what this hydro electricity allows us to do which causes the problem. It allows us to keep the lights on so we can consume 24/7.

Earth Hour is a great idea, because it draws our attention to the need and desire for us to do something of significance, but I think it could be improved by doing more than shutting off the lights for one day. I think that if everyone in North America would stop consuming for 1 whole day each year, then we would be on our way to making big changes. A day that we stopped, no shopping, no driving, no working...just stopped. Earthday wouldn't mean people stalking up on the stuff needed for that day...it would mean using what we already have. Enjoying life and the planet that we live on. Perhaps reading about other Countries and their economies. It would mean every single car parked...for the whole day. Since it's estimated that 64% of the US population is overweight...reducing food consumption for that day could be beneficial as well! People walking, people talking and people relaxing. If we all stopped for one day, without the need to run out and buy presents, or cards, or buy flowers, make a huge gluttonous dinner or CONSUME....we would make an impact on the world. There's a possibility we would like it and would want to have an Earth Day every month.  

Regardless if Global warming is truth or fiction, Earth Day would give everyone a reason to stop and take notice of the most incredible planet and its inhabitants in the Universe....Planet Earth...and since it's the only planet in our Galaxy that we can live on.....or get to in our life time...it may not be a bad idea to make a big effort in protecting it!