Last March 28, 2009, the year’s Earth Hour was held.  For 60 minutes – beginning at 8:30 PM in different places of the world – households and business establishments were asked to turn off their lights and other unnecessary electric functions. 

The goal was not to envelop the earth in darkness. 

The goal was to accumulate votes – in the form of participation – for Mother Earth.  It is a not a celebration.  It is a warning and an invitation to take action.

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour is an annual event that invites countries and cities from all over the world to one hour of non-electrical existence.  It is believed that the electricity saved within this hour would provide a big difference in preserving nature’s resplendence.

Started in 2007, the first Earth Hour was confined to Sydney Australia.  During those 60 minutes, it was reported that the city was able to reduce its total energy consumption by 2% – which is a very significant percentage indeed.  The 2008 event was even more impressive.  35 countries and 400 cities participated and the results were way beyond expectations.  In Ontario, Canada, for example, the major power company reported a 5% reduction in energy consumption during the said hour.  Toronto provided more astounding numbers, reporting a reduction as much as 8.7% at some points during those 60 minutes.

So, how successful was Earth Hour ’09?

It must be noted that Earth Hour isn’t just about reducing energy consumption.  That less electricity will be used is just the more apparent result.  The main goal is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) production – which is one of the leading causes of the climate change that threatens to destroy the planet – so that people will become aware of the dangers of ignorance and negligence.  It is hoped that, with a concerted effort like Earth Hour, people will learn how to take a stand for Mother Earth.

That being said, Earth Hour ’09 was a big success!

88 countries and more than 4,000 cities participated in the third staging of the event.  Power companies all around the globe reported dramatic decreases in energy consumption, with Toronto reporting a high 15.1% reduction.

Given the impressive number of participants and the wide media coverage received by Earth Hour ’09, its designated purpose of teaching the world how to save the planet and inviting people to take action has been met.

Is this a measure of its success?

Verily!

Hippy Green’s Hippy Fact Of The Day:  Did you know that the Earth travels around the sun at the speed of 66,600 miles per hour.  This is 8 times faster than a speeding bullet.  Vertigo, anyone?