'World copies Aussie lights out
December 14, 2007 02:14pm
Article from: AAP
FOUR Australian capitals will be joined by nine international cities in switching off their lights for an hour next year to highlight global warming.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra will plunge into darkness at 8pm local times on March 29 to cut greenhouse gas emissions as part of the International Earth Hour campaign.
They will be joined by a host of cities including Chicago, Toronto, Manila and Tel Aviv, with many others expected to sign up to the campaign in early 2008.
The concept is the brainchild of World WWF Australia, which approached the City of Sydney more than 18 months ago with the concept.
WWF Australia chief executive Greg Bourne said the inaugural Earth Hour this year attracted attention from around the world and he expected governments, businesses, community leaders and individuals to turn off their lights in large numbers.
"The majority of people in the world now live in our cities and cities are major contributors to global warming and cities need to show a lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bourne said.
He said Earth Hour in Sydney took the equivalent of almost 50,000 cars off the road and got Sydneysiders talking about rescuing their planet.
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said 2.2 million corporate and residential Sydneysiders joined the voluntary blackout on March 31.
"It inspired and achieved a terrific response," Ms Moore said.'
http://www.earthhour.org/
Saturday 29/3 8pm. It is last Q moon and still DST.
Add your name to the Earth Hour movement here. Once registered, you'll receive useful tools and tips to help you get even more involved.
That's great to hear about.
I have signed up, and I will be encouraging others to do the same.
Even if it only serves to make people aware of the effect light pollution has on our night skies it will be a good thing !
Earth hour almost seems to be a total waste of time; it should be earth night and go from sunset to sunrise. The power stations take a long time to power up a generator, and to shut one down, and I can tell you that the 1hour with the lights off will not stop the power being generated; it’s not worth their time, but for all night they might keep a turbine offline during the peak load time?? All councils should have the street lights turned off as well, but that won’t happen unless there is a natural disaster!! While in principle I agree with the objective of the night, the practicalities have been underestimated, or in the case of savings severely overrated!!!!
They will burn the same amount of coal, or fuel oil to keep the turbines going – waiting for that token surge to come back when we turn everything back on.
SO yes I will token gesture and switch the light off, but behind the scenes the turbines keep working......
Edit: Disregard. University have just advised that street lighting will not be switched off. No go!
My University has announced it is participating. I've asked how dark is it going to be in the University's main road (I bet they leave the street lamps on). If dark enough, I've offered to set up a few scopes. I've checked the location and Stellarium, and figure there are a few things that will be above the adjacent buildings. I'll cheat and go for Saturn, of course, as one target. Might be able to get M42, Carina, M41.
So it's possible I might get a scope or two out in, what is effectively, the CBD of Melbourne, but hopefully shielded from direct light. Only for 2 hours probably, say 7:30 - 9:30. I've also said we'd need parking and a security guard present If the Uni Admin comes back interested (photos and articles for Uni mags, I guess), I'll check our the prospective location more closely to check what can be seen. Any Melbournite interested in being part of this, PM me.
thanks guys! yep joined .. just a note, Adelaide is participating now as well, hope to make some use of it all!.
I agree, and would vote for earth night too!! and weekly! where do i sign!
I am pushing very hard to get our town involved.
I am planning an viewing night on the town oval.
Local Radio announcements are going up tomorrow.
I have emailed everyone from the Mayor to the biggest company CEO's
Sometimes you just have to take a stand and be counted !
Our Job as I see it is to associate Earth hour with Astronomy !
Might help to dispel a few myths:
1. Its a full moon, are you doing an astronomy night ?
2. Oh..... so your an Astrologer !
3. Would you like me to turn the lights on so you can see what your doing ?
Et..Al
"The majority of people in the world now live in our cities and cities are major contributors to global warming and cities need to show a lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bourne said.
What global warming?
Do you mean the modest cycle that is now is a cooling phase (see attached)??
"The majority of people in the world now live in our cities and cities are major contributors to global warming and cities need to show a lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Bourne said.
If the Uni Admin comes back interested (photos and articles for Uni mags, I guess), I'll check our the prospective location more closely to check what can be seen. Any Melbournite interested in being part of this, PM me.
yep joined .. just a note, Adelaide is participating now as well, hope to make some use of it all!.
