I’ve been debating whether or not to post this. On the one hand I don’t want to give Earth Hour any more publicity than it already has, however on the other hand I would like to publicise my plan for that hour of climate-change-alarmism induced insanity, and then there’s the fact that I haven’t written much this week and need to write something.
Anybody who has been reading this blog for a while would know of my stance on climate change…basically I think it is almost entirely natural, and I see Earth Hour as a rather strange stunt. For those of you who don’t know, Earth Hour is an event where people are invited to turn off all of their lights for an hour in a bid to save energy (and theoretically cut down on the amount of greenhouse gases produced) and raise awareness of energy use and the theory of man-made global warming.
My plan for that hour (8pm to 9pm tomorrow) is to turn on all of my lights in an effort to offset the people who are turning off their lights. I may also decide to use other appliances such as the kettle or the washing machine during this hour…anything I wouldn’t normally use during that hour. I would like to invite you to join me, either turn on all of your lights or perhaps go for an unnecessary drive (with the price of petrol at the moment, that one could be a bit too expensive), or just use electricity that you wouldn’t normally use during that hour.
Update: Knowing that I wouldn’t be the only person with this idea, I did a Google search for “against earth hour” and found the blog of Samantha Burns [1] who has this rather useful list of appliances [2] that you could turn on during Earth Hour if you want to help offset the madness:
-all household lights
-air conditioner
-heater
-automobiles (your ride)
-automobile headlights
-washer
-dryer
-dishwasher
-stove/oven
-put on oven’s self-cleaning cycle
-microwave
-any/all kitchen appliances
-television
-dvd player
-game system
-stereo
-and any other electrical equipment you can think of
I’m struggling to think of more appliances…anybody have any suggestions?
End Update
The really good thing is that because most people (anecdotally at least) don’t have any more than a quarter of their household lights on at any given time, one household turning on their lights can offset at least four households turning off their lights.
I’m looking forward to turning on all of my lights, who wants to join me?
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Offsetting Earth Hour"
#1 Comment By Tony McLeahy On March 29, 2008 @ 12:01 am
I’m looking forward to turning on all of my lights, who wants to join me?
Haha Samuel once you do this you never have any excuse to complain about Government waste ever again.
You’re deliberately wasting electricity, and encouraging others to do so.
#2 Comment By loadedog On March 29, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Heading towards your house with a set of wire cutters now Samuel. This is possibly the most stupid suggestion you have ever made Samuel.
#3 Comment By davky On March 29, 2008 @ 9:27 am
You are usually a voice of reason, Sambo, but I think you’ve gone a little cuckoo here…
There is a difference between intellectually disagreeing with a commonly held view, and being a twit. Unfortunately, I fear you are leaning toward the latter with this post!
#4 Comment By Pen 15 On March 29, 2008 @ 10:47 am
Is this an attempt at becoming more like those newspaper / radio shock-jocks you seem to love so much?
I’m no fan of Earth Hour, and will be living my life as usual when it is on, but I’m sure as hell not going to go out of my way to waste electricity. Thats just dumb.
#5 Comment By Samuel On March 29, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Slight difference Tony, I will voluntarily be paying for the extra electricity used out of my own pocket. When the government waste money, it’s money that everyone has given to them, and not for that purpose.
By the way, in case you’re wondering what type of light bulbs I have, they are the energy saving compact fluorescent type, not because they use less energy and therefore produce less carbon emissions, but because I prefer the light they produce. The fact that they cost less to run is an added bonus.
Loadedog, don’t worry, I did notice your email about turning off the lights and PA system at your Backyard Backanalia tonight. I commend you for doing something you believe in, pity the courtesy isn’t likely to be returned…besides which, think of all the people who will be attending and won’t have their lights on at home as a result, surely I’d be struggling to offset their efforts…oh wait, some will be travelling by car.
Agree to disagree Davky? The organisers of Earth Hour disagree with excessive energy use because of its supposed effect on the planet’s temperature. I disagree with their stance on global warming and am making a point that Earth’s temperature will continue to drop even if I have all my lights on for an hour.
Pen, no it’s not…although I’m sure some would argue that with posts like these, I don’t really need to try. Honestly I’ve barely had any time for the radio, newspaper or Internet this week.
It looks like a case of you disagreeing with me, and with the organisers of Earth Hour. I’ll commend you for doing what you believe is right, and leave it at that…unless you want to continue the debate.
#6 Comment By Pen 15 On March 29, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Surely you would agree that whether global warming exists or not, using less energy can only be a good thing?
#7 Comment By Mr-Pappadappadopolis On March 29, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
Wow, Samuel really copped a serve over what was obviously a tongue-in-cheek remark.
Lighten up people !
#8 Comment By Samuel On March 30, 2008 @ 1:22 am
Pen, not necessarily. I don’t agree that using less energy for the sake of using less energy is a good thing. I do agree with the idea of using energy sources which are more efficient and create less pollution, but part of efficiency is an element of cost-effectiveness.
I would be very happy if we could use entirely “renewable” energy sources, but until the difference in cost is negligible, I don’t see it as feasible and I’m not going to try and convert people to it.
Admittedly, my few extra lights have probably generated a little bit more pollution, but I’m making do with what I’ve got, and if the Earth Hour people can have their stunt, then so can I.
Mr-Pappadappadopolis, oddly it’s quite nice to see that there are plenty of people who disagree with me enough to put their thoughts in writing…and if they’re not going to lighten up, at least I did so for them.
#9 Comment By helloeurope On March 30, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
I think that the whole global warming thing is so stupid, and how everyone just believes it.. but I wanted to do earth hour for fun even though it was stupid. =D