It’s beautiful to recognize that Earth Hour has reached its eighth year. This coming Saturday, March 29th, it is scheduled as usual for 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. In the neighbourhood of 153 countries are committed to this act of consciousness raising. The Philippines has been a remarkable supporter topping its own records every year. Millions of people around the world will be honouring the earth in this hour. Even though we haven’t solved our carbon problems, it is heartwarming to know that this many countries are participating with hope, at the same moment, on the same night. In our fractured and individualistic world this is indeed cause for celebration.
The date chosen, the second-to-last and last weekend of March is quite close to the time of the Spring and Autumn equinoxes in the northern and southern hemispheres – and allows for near coincidental sunset times in both hemispheres. In so doing our efforts are psychically connected one with the other.
In the United Kingdom, Wembley Stadium, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye will dim outside lights. Over 400 monuments in France, including the Eiffel Tower, will also take part in the turning the switch off. Here’s to some other good earth news:
- In Uganda, half a million trees will be planted in the world's first Earth Hour Forest in a fight against the 6000 hectares of deforestation.
- by 2020, Vancouver aims for all new buildings to be carbon neutral in their operations; citizens to make over 50% of trips by foot, bicycle or public transport; and the number of green jobs to have doubled.
- 3.4 Million hectares of sea are being protected, raising the level of protection of Argentina’s seas from 1% to more than 4%.
Even to shut off the lights for one hour tells me there is a deeper truth resonating in our collective hearts. In our very plugged-in world, for one hour we actually disconnect. And then we connect to the wonder of our humanity, to candlelight and to starlight. We are one in caring for our earth, our children and our future. In the dark we have found our true selves and our earth soul.
Linda Gregg, CSJ