Help Keep Us All IN THE DARK!

A year ago, one city, Sydney, Australia, decided to take an hour to reduce energy consumption. Their goal was 5%, their means was to turn off the lights for one hour during peak evening consumption. They reached an energy consumption reduction of over 10%, calculated by some reports as equivalent to removing 48,000 cars from the road.

This year, March 29th, at 8 pm local time, cities around the world are turning off the lights. Yes, it is mostly symbolic, and no, one hour a year is not enough. But I encourage everyone to try it out. Turn off the lights - and computer, TV, and stove! Maybe even your furnace, just for the hour (in this climate. Turn off the AC if you're in the warmer latitudes). Light a candle and have a cold picnic dinner. Go outside for a walk and watch the stars rise. Who knows, if enough of your city participates, you might SEE stars like you never do, with all the light pollution. Take the opportunity to think, as well. Imagine if this was not a voluntary, symbolic project. Imagine the day when the lights are out, because we cannot sustain the consumption we currently do. Think about the impact if you could not turn ON the lights (or anything else) and what could happen then. Spend an hour in the dark, and learn to appreciate what you have - and then use it more wisely.