Something Everyone Can Do To Help Go Green – If you’re Not Scared of the Dark!

We’ve been talking the last few months about how businesses can get involved and what changes you can make at work. But I’d like to get back to where we started…the movement needs individuals to take small steps towards a large change. If you just aren’t sure what you could do to help stop global warming, I’ve got the solution for you: turn off your lights!

On Saturday, March 29th at 8pm local time, there will be a global action to go dark and turn off every light that you can. Earth Hour 2008 plans on showing how individuals can ban together to make a difference for the environment. And, along the way it might just show people that they can live without the TV and computer for an hour or so.

The event was started last year in Sydney, Australia and over 2 million people participated. Great landmarks like the Syndey Opera House and the Harbour Bridge were dark. This year the event is extending to cities like Chicago, Toronto, and Dubai. In the US, the Sears Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and the Georgia Dome will all be participating.

To date, over 150,000 individuals and 10,000 companies have committed to turning off their lights. Sky Magazine estimates that if every American household turns off their lights for only an hour it will prevent more than 16,500 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

I will definitely be joining the efforts, and encouraging those here at InterCall and to do the same. If you’re a fan of Facebook, you can add this application and ask your friends to take the Earth Hour Pledge. (Oh, yes…visit the InterCall page on Facebook while you’re there!)

So now, the big question is – what are all of these people going to do in the dark? Last year Sydney had a few candlelight weddings. Chicago will have bowling by candle light and Toronto will host a free concert. Take the dog for a walk, go to the park with your kids, or just enjoy a nap! Will you be turning your lights off? (Good for you!) So, what are you going to do for a whole hour in the dark?

Carolyn Campbell
Senior Director, Marketing Communications
InterCall

Comments

[Chris Rummel]

If people are going to participate in turning the lights off in their offices on the weekend of the 29th, like we are going to be doing her at the InterCall Dallas office, it would be wise to take that next step before turning them back on Monday morning. Switch you light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent. By making this simple switch they will have inplemented bulbs that will last 10 times longer and use 66% less energy. At the same time there are concerns over how to recycle fluorescent bulbs. For additional information on the best practices go to http://www.lamprecycle.org/

[Dorea Man]

My husband works for a major soft drink company and they have installed motion sensors for the lights in all main work areas and breakrooms. The lights only turn on if someone passes by the motion sensors, so they automatically shut off if the area is empty. Another simple way to conserve energy that all companies should look into, including InterCall!

[Miracle Everett]

I will certainly be participating! Here in Chicago, The Sears Tower, U.S. Cellular Field, and The Navy Pier Ferris Wheel are just a few of the business taking part in this initiative. It’s very exciting that this is an observable statement being made across the U.S. and the World. And while the move is largely symbolic, I think we are all hoping it can spark world wide discussions and a greater awareness on global climate change. I read an article likening this movement to the “Boston Tea Party” of 1773, as a statement that sparked a phenomenally large transformation. And in this case if that leads to global climate change? Then I for one hope they are right!