Saturday March 23 at 8:30 pm local time, you’re invited to participate in Earth Hour.
It starts by turning off your lights for one hour as a demonstration of concern for the environment. But it doesn’t have to stop there. You’re invited to think big, think creatively, outside of the box and on the side of this big beautiful marble planet we call home.
This is an annual global event that began in 2007 with one city and now is celebrated by millions in over 150 countries.
Check out the official Earth Hour video and then go take a look at their website. Check out the “I Will Challenges” that take this one-hour-of-lights-out to a whole new level encouraging positive environmental action. The concept is simple – people pledge to do something if a certain number of people commit to taking an ongoing action for the environment beyond Earth Hour. There are countless challenges, and this is precisely the kind of innovative people-powered stuff that really excites me. Kids in a Bali school pledge to go through the school year without using paper if 1000 people agree to plant a tree. How cool is that? I can plant a tree. You can plant a tree. We can be part of that challenge, and dozens of others. Small things that can add up.
When I turn off our lights tonight I plan on going outside for a walk under our beautiful waxing gibbous moon and take a peek at the night sky.
I’ll be thinking about the Egyptian Goddess Nut whose body was depicted as the star-strewn sky arching over the world. She is said to lie with the Earth each night and each morning give birth to the sun. I love that image and that reminder that it’s all connected. We’re all connected.
What will you do for Earth Hour? What will you do beyond the hour?
What a lovely post Deborah. Thank you for sharing about Egyptian Goddess Nut. I had never heard of her. I love that you will be out walking at that time. What a great idea. I may just do the same thing with my hubby.
Thank you for the great reminder about Earth Hour. I had forgotten about it. xo
Hope you found the perfect way to observe Earth Hour Suzanne. As I was out I was thinking about how many other people were out under the moon with their feet planted on the ground. So many people, each different, yet each the same as well. Made me smile and wonder if the stars feel the same. Or if the beings on the stars feel the same as well. 😉
Well, I’m a little late for the party but have to laugh a bit, given my electrical issues this past week or so. I probably was in the dark since I’ve blown out 5 lightbulbs this past week and need to go pick up replacements. I actually enjoy sitting in the dark and looking out the window or standing out on the balcony and observing all that’s around me. It’s a healthy practice for me 🙂
Yikes Michele – I think 5 lightbulbs was your own personal version of Earth Hour indeed! That’s a lovely practice sitting or standing in the dark. It can be such a helpful (and beautiful) way to shift from one state to another.
Deborah, I’m also “late to the party,” but we will be planting a few trees this spring for sure! Loved to hear about Nut, new to me. Blessings!
Oh wonderful Janet – it delights my soul so much to hear about tree planting!
I loved everything except the going without paper for a year in school. Paper is so magical to children. Our children were allowed to use as much paper as they wanted to draw and create. When their friends came over we were told at home they were only allowed a piece of paper. Oh, horrors! Paper can become anything. I love the light out hour and the idea of matching pledges to actions. Thanks for the post. Sorry about the friendly rant about the joys of paper.
LOL – that’s hardly a rant Sheila. And I’m with you totally in love, love, loving paper and the magic of it. Which is why I think the kids taking a pledge to do without was such an extraordinary and meaningful gesture. I’m sure the impact of that commitment would bring them a real sense of contribution to making a difference.