I just got an email from my very nice neighbor trying to raise support for Earth Hour. Again, my blog, I get to be super-duper cynical on it.
I hate this kind of thing.
Earth Hour is supposed to be “a statement of concern about our planet and climate change.” So, we all turn our lights out for an hour to show… who?… Satan? that we’re brave enough to take the pro-planet stance, come what may.
Why Do You Hate Kittens?!
And kittens. We love kittens! We don’t care who hears us! I’m thinking about starting a Global Meow Off where we make a statement in support of kittens by meowing for an hour. You think having everyone turn their damn lights off is annoying.
Wouldn’t it make, I don’t know, one million times more sense to actually encourage people to do something to further those causes rather than spending all the resources required to perform this empty gesture (again)? How much money do you suppose is spent on this? How much coordination, extra security, and accommodation has to be made so we can demonstrate that… what? We think global warming is bad? I wonder how many people drive somewhere to watch the lights go out. A whole lot, I’m guessing.
Don’t get me wrong. I think global warming is bad. I’m pro-earth. I also think turning off lights all over everywhere at once is witty. Maybe once. As an art project. But this is turning into one of those peer pressurey, We Are The World, disco, Burning Man, was-maybe-a-cute-idea-now-tiresome things that people love to overdo until someone gets an eye put out.
You know what… if you think global warming is bad, use less gas. Walk more. Buy local. Vote your conscience. Consume less. Recycle more. Grow your own veggies organically. How about turning off your lights, every day, when you’re not using them.
Or, you could also inconvenience a bunch of people, print up a bunch of crap, spend all kinds of money, and cause millions of people to drive their cars around in a hollow act of symbolism.
I think I’ll pass.
*N.B., The author of this article takes no responsibility for its content. He has a sore throat and a leaky roof.
I have a sore throat too, and I am in a bad mood. I tend to agree with your rant today. It’s your blog and you said it well.
Thank you, Jen. Solidarity.
Yes, these types of events seem to be mostly empty gestures that mostly say, “I am concerned about this issue but too lazy to really do anything.”
The thing that really chaps me is that what’s probably a nascent, but genuine, desire to take action “is reduced to a shallow meaningless party,” as the great philosopher Sting once said.
He also said “de doo doo doo de da da da.”
You know who I hate? Sting.
Seriously. Can’t stand the guy.
You know what’s funny? He said the same thing about you.
You know what I hate? Your attitude.
Seriously. Can’t stand it.
And enough with the flames. I see what you mean, but really, there is numerous amounts off companies and movements towards using-less-gas, recycling, going vegetarian (or vegan, even) and even using power more efficiently. None of them, however, get very big, and do not make a very big difference. Earth hour however is global now, and they got there in just a few years, how amazing is that?
And, I mean, think about it, Earth hour has influence above turning off your lights an hour. After that people tend to be energy-efficient, at least for a few days. (A bit like going to the dentist, your always kinda healthy the following few days).
Oh, and, lose the attitude. Really.
Firstly, the idea that I’d lose the attitude indicates that you don’t know me very well.
However, my point is that the “bigness” of Earth Hour (gak) does not testify to its “goodness”. The US elected Bush to the presidency– twice. That’s tens of millions of people voting for someone completely, demonstrably incompetent.
Your contention is that all the (massive) resources spent on the logistics, PR, security, etc. for turning the lights off for an hour (and the next few days of people tending towards energy efficiency) is not wasteful guilt-assuaging posturing. It stinks to me of naive grasping at anything that, at first glance, sounds like an obvious finger to the Man– the Prius, for example. Look into the environmental footprint of that little green demon.
Any criticism of such a thing based on a slightly more in-depth cost-benefit analysis is treated like Copernicus was treated by the Pope when he had the nerve to point out that the earth was the one doing the rotating. Keep in mind that I’m a composting, reusable bag, non-driving, local-shopping maniac and never voted for Bush. Either of them.
Anyway, I accept that you feel that my bad attitude is raining on your parade and needs correcting. That’s unlikely to happen.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I just urinated all over my bathroom floor thanks to Earth Hour! Who’s gonna PAY for this mess?
Not it!
Nicely worded, In fact global warming and associated problems need a much more serious thought that such gimmicks.
there are hell lot of other more sensible ways to act (or even show) your responsible thinking, approach and actions.