Earth Hour 2013: It’s lights out on tonight

semi-pro waster · 23 Mar 2013 at 10:37

I wonder how much power companies factor Earth Hour into their predictions of demand - it could be a bit of an issue dealing with the surge at 21:30 if lots of people take that as the point to switch back on.

I won't be using much power at that time anyway I'd imagine but that's principally because I'll be at a friends engagement party rather than any particular effort to join in with Earth Hour. That said if it succeeds in raising awareness regarding reducing our energy usage then it's not a bad thing.

King Damager · 23 Mar 2013 at 10:41

semi-pro waster said:
I wonder how much power companies factor Earth Hour into their predictions of demand - it could be a bit of an issue dealing with the surge at 21:30 if lots of people take that as the point to switch back on.

I won't be using much power at that time anyway I'd imagine but that's principally because I'll be at a friends engagement party rather than any particular effort to join in with Earth Hour. That said if it succeeds in raising awareness regarding reducing our energy usage then it's not a bad thing.

I'd be surprised if they didn't take it into account. They take into account the tea break after Eastenders, and during Corrie.

kd

Marky · 23 Mar 2013 at 11:00

I might turn on everything in the house to make your contribution redundant

/douchebag

bitslice · 23 Mar 2013 at 11:34

I don't have any lights on anyway unless I'm in the kitchen, I assume they don't intend for us to stop drinking tea for an hour?

Hunders · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:12

Just celebrated Earth Hour in a small town in Malaysia called Bukit Fraser. Was interesting!

Monkeynut · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:12

I'd prefer "Earth Day" especially as that might be the point at which the chancellor has to factor it into his autumn statement as to why he missed his targets.

godinman · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:12

I'll be doing it, just because I think it'd be pretty cool if loads of people do it, they should do some aerial photos or something.

G-MAN2004 · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:15

No thanks.

Mr_White · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:22

Stumble Bum said:
I'll be putting all my lights on then just to counter what little good you think you are doing.

I will also do this.

Gammawolf · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:28

Pointless. I will not be turning off my 7 watt LED bulbs for this garbage. Maybe if the concept was less about token gestures and more about making significant changes it would be worth it, but its not.

Glaucus · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:31

King Damager said:
Because politicians respond to pointless token gestures unfortunately.

A show worldwide shows international commitment is a huge thing.

Also, Miranda Kerr will do a free yoga class if enough sign up. Yoga pants, stretching etc....

kd

I doubt it will have any impact on goverments at all. We are allready legally bound to renewable energy investment.
And this is the most lazy non in your face protest other, it really is pointless.
Practice what you preach, if everyone who turned their lights off did this, it would have a far bigger impact.

And if I want sexy women, I have the Internet, that has everything from fully dressed, to totally naked and stuff you don't even want to see.

Judgeneo · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:36

My lights and electronics will be off, because I'll be at a house party.

Drinking and 'saving the earth'? Check.

stevie_vee · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:45

I better turn my cpu speed down then!!

Kosmiche · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:48

Is this something that a lot of people actually have awareness about, or just something some internet users know about?

I've never heard mention of earth hour on the tv, news or in the newspaper so I'm guessing its just some internet fad.

dowie · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:53

Glaucus said:
You must be kidding, grow lights are on till 21:30.

Also pointless, why not live sensibly and actually try using less, recycling more etc. rather than a pointless token gesture.

this really...

think someone should start a counter-earth hour - encourage people to do the washing, use the tumble dryer, boil the kettle, whack all TVs on etc.. to compensate for their hippie neighbour's making a pointless token gesture and to ensure the national grid doesn't experience a massive drop followed by a huge surge in demand from the earth hour types.

V F · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:56

Glaucus said:
I doubt it will have any impact on goverments at all. We are allready legally bound to renewable energy investment.
And this is the most lazy non in your face protest other, it really is pointless.
Practice what you preach, if everyone who turned their lights off did this, it would have a far bigger impact.

Look at Westminster at night. Windows open letting the heat out and lights on all the time.

Eames said:
Is this something that a lot of people actually have awareness about, or just something some internet users know about?

I've never heard mention of earth hour on the tv, news or in the newspaper so I'm guessing its just some internet fad.

I didn't even know about it until this thread. Earth Hour... what the...

Azza · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:57

Can some one remember to tell China to shut down production of exports for an hour.

dowie · 23 Mar 2013 at 14:59

yhack said:
So will they be turning the power stations down a bit?

they'll need to fire them up a bit if there is a surge in demand...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/en...Earth-Hour-will-not-cut-carbon-emissions.html

Even if power stations are turned off, the upsurge in turning the lights back on one hour later will require power stations that can fire up quickly like oil and coal.

Energy experts said it could therefore result in an increase in carbon emissions "rendering all good intentions useless at a flick of a switch".

But WWF said the campaign was about raising awareness and saving energy in the long term, rather than a short-term fix.

token gesture to 'raise awareness' it seems... while actually causing a slight increase in carbon emissions.

Bennie-Mac · 23 Mar 2013 at 15:18

I had a power cut yesterday so I'm good for 4 years worth of earth day.

Hatter The Mad · 23 Mar 2013 at 15:24

Glaucus said:
Also pointless, why not live sensibly and actually try using less, recycling more etc. rather than a pointless token gesture.

Agree. I bet many people will engage in this and be like 'right, that's my bit done until next year'.