Blog Action Day - bloggers getting together to create a better world.
Earth Hour 2007
Earlier this year, Sydney was plunged into darkness for Earth Hour. Over two million residents participated in Earth Hour and lights were switched off all over the city. Statistics provided by Earth Hour show that the energy usage in Sydney’s CBD dropped 10.2% for just that one hour. That is equal to a taking 48,613 cars off the road for the same amount of time.
Imagine if every major city in Australia participated in Earth Hour? Imagine if every major city on the world participated? Imagine if Earth Hour took place twice a year? And why not? Sydneysiders had a great time viewing the blackness of the nightsky and stargazing. There was almost a party atmosphere that night. Although, Sydneysiders do come out to play at the drop of an anchor…
Little things can help make a difference
Of course, Earth Hour doesn’t happen everyday, so what can we do to help make a difference to our environment?
How about a worm farm?
Inspired by Earth Hour, I revisited my environmental side and set up my worm farm again - it had been packed up since I moved a few years ago. It’s now a thriving little ecosystem filled with all sorts of leftovers from the kitchen. Plus, the “worm wee” does wonders for the garden.
Worm farms don’t take much effort. All you need is a backyard or balcony. You’ll soon realise that much of the rubbish you throw out can be recycled back into your garden, via the worms.
Is driving everyday essential?
I drive to work everyday. I can’t help it. It takes me 45 minutes to drive compared to a two hour, two train and a busn ride epic journey. I was car-pooling with a friend from work but she has since moved. We started car-pooling due to the outrageous skyrocketing of the price of petrol and we found that we also had a great time on our ‘roadtrips’ each day.
So, I have to drive to work. But I walk when I can. If I have to pop out to get some milk or go to the video shop, or if I’m getting take-out for dinner, I walk. This weekend I didn’t have to drive at all. I walked and took the train. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen every weekend, but I try to leave the car at home on weekends when I can.
Things we can all do
As a follow on from Earth Hour we are encouraged to:
- Turn off the TV (and the DVD player) at the power point rather than leave it on stand-by power
- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs where possible
- Use a water efficient showerhead (with the terrible drought here in New South Wales many people use buckets in the shower to catch the water while it heats up instead of letting it run down the drain. It then gets recycled onto the garden)
- Dry the washing outdoors in the fresh air rather than using a clothes dryer
- Leave the car at home when you can.
The Earth Hour website has more everyday tips.
What energy saving tips do you have that can help our environment?
