Sunday, March 28, 2010

When darkness spoke

It was an hour everybody was counting down to. Or so I seemed to think. The hour came. Our apartment was plunged into darkness. There were a few other houses and apartments in our neighbourhood that followed suit. The others seem unaffected, going about their routine life as if nothing mattered to them. We groped our way in the darkness and got to the rooftop. There was an eerie silence. And it was dark. But we felt good.

It was earth hour. A campaign to raise awareness on climate change. A call to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. To stand up, take responsibility, get involved and find a way towards a sustainable future.

If an hour of darkness (no lights, fans, AC, TV, Computer, Fridge, Washing Machine, Microwave, or any other electric appliances) can help make a difference, so be it. Because we understand if we don't do this something, someday it will not be a "choice", it would rather be "because there's no other alternative".

Wake up people. Do your bit. Turn off lights / fans / any other appliances, if you are not using them or if you step out of the room. If there are 4 in a family, instead of each occupying a separate room (with light, tv, ac/fan etc on), try to cuddle up in a single room, and bond with each other. Go outdoors with family & friends on weekends. Home after work, instead of being a couch potato looking at the idiot box 24x7 (the rest of your waking hours I mean), try spending quality time with family, talking to each other. If you're the last person to leave home / office, remember to switch off the mains. Take a shower in cold water, rather than use the Geyser. And other seemingly "little" things that can make a "big" difference.

The world is getting hotter by the day. Global warming they say. Sweat, sweat. Obviously, there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year during "Earth hour". It is about find a way / working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.

Do something guys. Say something guys.