EARTH HOUR

And what are you doing March 28,2009 from 8:30 till 9:30 pm ?? I plan to be sitting in the dark.

Each year, individuals, governments and businesses around the globe are encouraged to switch off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an Australian initiative that began in Sydney in 2007 to help combat climate change. In 2008, Earth Hour involved between 50 and 100 million people in 370 cities and towns around the world, including Chicago, Toronto, Copenhagen, Dublin, Atlanta and Bangkok. Earth Hour 2009 takes place on Saturday 28 March. By turning off our lights, we can send a message to the world's leaders that strong action needs to be taken to combat climate change.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

The US lags behind most countries on this initiative and we are among the biggest energy junkies. This hour in the dark is a symbolic gesture but will help raise awareness of how we need to cut out carbon footprint drastically. Many all ready believe that we are causing global warming while others think this is just a cyclical weather cycle. I fall in the first group.

We are allowed to keep computers , TV's and essentials on, just turn off the lights. Personally, I plan to sit on the porch(weather permitting) for an hour and check out one of natures wonders, the night sky. If you have a sweetie handy, try cuddling for an hour or maybe just enjoying a real conversation.

We live on an amazing blue planet that we were unaware of just how beautiful she was till NASA showed us. Lets keep her that way.