Did you take part in Earth Hour last night?
My house was just one of thousands in Victoria and millions worldwide who switched off their lights during Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March in a bid to highlight environment concerns and to collectively make a stand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Some 4000 cities in more than 120 countries voluntarily switched off their lights including many of the world’s greatest landmarks: Big Ben; the Eiffel Tower; Rome Colusseum, Sydney Opera House and Beijing’s Forbidden City.
Whilst our lounge, dining room and kitchen were glowing with light from candles inserted into empty wine bottles, we reminded our children of the reasons for taking such action. We taught them that if everyone in the world took part in Earth Hour what impact such a collective gesture could have on a global scale.
There are many ways we can reduce our carbon footprint. Your footprint is an indication of the demand you are placing on the planet’s living resources. A footprint is made up of many things including the things you eat, where you live, how you get around and what you buy. The Earth Hour website has a footprint calculator where you can work out for yourself what your footprint is.
The Earth Hour website also lists the many ways you can reduce your footprint from saving energy, conserving water, reducing waste and mininising dependence on transport. Any change you make, big or small, will help to make a difference. For more information on reducing your footprint, check out the Earth Hour website.