Earth Hour 2011

Don’t ya just think it is the most ridiculous thing when you watch people being interviewed on the news saying, “I don’t see the importance of Earth Hour cuz really the amount of energy saved during that hour is so small it’s insignificant.”


Earth Hour is not designed to ‘save’ energy and ‘save’ the environment. It is not a solution to the fact that our global civilization consumes and wastes enormous amounts of energy every day. It will not stop the production of another eleven nuclear reactors this year.


Earth Hour is a growing movement of concerned human beings who are simply stating, “We know that our want for energy is grossly extravagant and environmentally unsound and although we may not have the solutions to these problems right now, we are uniting to inspire each other to begin a process of change!” Well… maybe that statement is a bit more profound than simple, now that I think about it.


Earth Hour is a pioneering philosophy that is changing the future for mankind… and I was a small part of it! And so were over one billion people from 134 countries. And so were 90% of the students who ride The Peacebus!!!


A week before Earth Hour was to take place, I asked the students of The Peacebus if they would like to create some artwork for the bus, inspired by this event. Many said they would… and they did!!!


I was so amazed with all of the designs that were created that I went to visit the principal for one of the schools to show and share these artworks. He was very impressed with his students’ dedication to this art! He scanned the images and may very well use these artworks to create posters for the school for next year’s event.


When the students boarded The Peacebus, after the event, I asked them what kinds of things they did during that hour. Many of the students told me that they played board games, like Monopoly and Scrabble, with their parents, surrounded by candlelight. Some went outside to play soccer or ball toss with their neighbourhood friends. Some students simply lit candles and spent the hour talking with their parents.


One group of students told me that a few of them got together and danced while another friend played an acoustic guitar. I thought that this was great cuz that’s what Joanne and I did for our hour – minus the dancing. Jo’ lit some candles and we spent the first while enjoying a bit of quiet that was quickly broken as our pets wanted us to play… so we did. After twenty minutes I picked up my guitar and quietly played for another hour or so.


I had pulled up to one of the bus stops and a mom was waiting to pick up her daughter who is in JK – Junior Kindergarten. She came up to me and told me that she thought my idea for creating Earth Hour art for the bus was great! She told me how my idea helped to inspire her idea. She told me that she and her daughter had dug a small hole in their back flower garden and that they had put a balled up piece of paper, a not used diaper and some apple cores in the hole and buried it. She said that in two months they will dig everything up to see what is composting and what is not.

I think that it is amazingly great that so many parents involved themselves in all of these activities, uniting families and friends towards a common goal… understanding our place within the natural world!!!


While I was preparing this blog story, I did a little ‘googling’ to see what had happened in the rest of Canada. I found this enjoyable video on youtube that really helps to put this event into a global perspective – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMwArLkF0oU


I also came across several reports that both delighted and upset me a little. I really didn’t enjoy reading that some think Earth Hour is a dying fad that never became a fad. I really enjoyed reports that stated that one of Canada’s provinces – New Brunswick – had the most successful Earth Hour to date.

Here’s what else I learned about Canada’s participation in Earth Hour 2011…

New Brunswick
It was New Brunswick's most successful Earth Hour to date, according to NB Power. Electricity consumption decreased by 24 megawatts, which is the equivalent to seeing 480,000 lights turned off in the province.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Power claims the province saved 18 megawatts of power.
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I.'s numbers were less impressive than last year's. Only about 2,200 islanders participated, in stark contrast to the 21,000 who took part in 2009.
Ontario
Is it fair to blame the cold? Below-seasonal temperatures in Toronto are the excuse for a four per cent drop in energy consumption as compared to six per cent last year.
Manitoba
Note to Earth Hour organizers: Promote the event in Manitoba next year. Not only did Manitoba Hydro not track participation; most Manitobans surveyed had little idea as to what Earth Hour was.
Saskatchewan
A two per cent drop in Saskatoon points to more substantial participation than in previous years.
Alberta
Despite the energy-saving competition between Calgary and Edmonton, the minor blip in energy reduction in Calgary is barely countable. In Edmonton, power consumption actually increased.
British Columbia
B.C. saw 117 megawatts of power saved over the course of one hour. That's a 1.04 per cent drop in the province's electricity load, and less of a dent made in both 2009 and 2008.


“Making positive change for future generations,” is a statement that has evolved into an explosive amount of action over the last few years, as more and more people are becoming aware that the actions needed to create our future need to be voluntary. Many of the minor shifts in governmental policy, marginal adjustments to ongoing programs and moderate improvements in laws and regulations are all forms of appeasement, designed to satisfy the publics desire to believe that sacrifice, struggle and a wrenching transformation of our societies will not be necessary.


The participants in Earth Hour 2011 have come to these realizations and by committing ourselves and our spirit to positive inspirations such as this we will influence others to realize that we are our only allies in the ‘war’ against pollution and greed as we struggle to evolve to a more peaceful stage of human existence.

Jim

What Is 350?

Over the last several years I have been able to connect with a few friendly people who are also involved with activities that protect and heal our home, the Earth. We share emails and ideas and keep each other posted about community events. At the beginning part of October I received an email informing me about an upcoming event meant to raise awareness about climate change. Seemed like the sort of thing that I should be involved with, so Joanne and I attended.

Because this event had to do with climate change Jo’ and I decided to enjoy a walk to the bus stop and a trip through the downtown core where we delighted in seeing all the colours of Autumn painted on every tree. This bus ride took us to John Paul II High School where the ‘350’ event was about to take place. Many people had biked to this event and one lady enjoyed all the attention her special bike received.


One of the first things that I noticed was this colourfully painted banner that must have been created as a youth group effort. It’s hard to read clearly – as it’s printed so small – but in the upper left there is a quote which reads, “If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one person does not become tired!”

There were a few of us gathered, chatting away, when someone asked me what 350 meant. I shrugged and then we chatted about what it could represent. A minute later I decided to ask a person who I know would know. I was told that 350 represents the ‘parts per million – ppm’ ratio of the greatest amount of carbon dioxide that is acceptable in our atmosphere for continued life on this planet. I was also told that our atmosphere is unfortunately, at 380ppm and that our world is adding 2ppm every year. YIKES!!! I returned and shared that story with my group and then it was time for the event to begin.


It was great to see such a diverse crowd with grandparents holding the hands of their grandchildren, high school students, moms, dads and a few furry four-legged friends. The speaker told of the meaning of 350, the history of these calculations (in 1870 the number was reaching ever higher but 280 is better than our present situation), and that we were the voice to carry our community’s concern to parliament. She also informed us that hundreds of other gatherings – just like ours - were happening on this same day in countries around the world.

I thought that this was brilliant and amazing – for the first time ever, humanity can join together in positive actions, uniting as one…


… and these are just a few of the photos from different cities around the world!!

Over the last decade or so, I have witnessed several events that have reached around the world in positive ways and this makes me happy. At this point in humanity’s existence we are just beginning to take positive actions and I’m confident that this movement will continue to build momentum.


After a few more words from some other local environmental groups we were asked to raise our voice – and document it, too! – by signing a petition that would be taken to our government.


Now it was time for our group to create our own ‘350’ for the world… we just had to wait a few minutes as a couple of cameramen climbed on top of the school’s roof. While we waited, several smaller groups took photos…


… and this person entertained us with a little drumming!


It was quite a comical event as we organized ourselves to shape the numbers 3, 5 and 0. One person, on the roof, would yell down that the bottom of the 5 was crooked and people bellow would move around a bit only to hear, “Wait! That’s even worse!!”, coming from above. But we did eventually get it right – LOL!!!!


After the successful photograph we were all asked to walk – or ride bike – around the school track, three times… and we all did!!! For part of our walk the lady with the drum pounded out a beat and a simple song that most people joined in singing.


There were even a few dogs that wanted to say something about climate change, as well! Lots of small conversations broke out, here and there, throughout the group. For me, it was a chance to say ‘hello’ to a few people that I knew. It seems like every time I attend an event of this nature I bump into a few of the same people… and this is a great thing!!!


As you can see, it was quite a windy day!!!! The cool, crisp air made us want to keep moving to keep warm!

After this event was over and ‘goodbyes’ and ‘see ya laters’ were done, Jo’ and I hopped back on the bus for a trip into the downtown core. After a bowl of potato with roasted garlic soup Joanne and I split up for a few hours. Jo’ had some shopping to do and I wanted to stay downtown to attend a 350 meeting at the Central Library.


There was a really big turn out for this event – many of the same people were there from that morning and a large number of others. We listened, watched and learned a lot about climate change and how it’s affecting our planet. We shared some of our own stories about actions we had taken and many people left feeling inspired. Of course, one final group photograph was taken… which later appeared in the premier edition of Ecovox!

I was able to hand out lots of my peace Stik-ers to all the children – old and young – and I had several conversations with a number of interesting people.


I decided to enjoy some more of the fall colours, so I walked home from the library. My walk took me past a farmer’s market, an outdoor play area for children, a couple of bridges and lots of homes getting ready for Halloween. I think that it is a wonder of Nature to herald in the change of seasons with such a variety of textures and colours. While I write this I’m looking out my window at the bare trees and snow covered ground remembering with fondness the pallet of colours that warmed our hearts just a few months ago.

Stay warm and think happy thoughts!

Jim

ps - for more information about 350 please visit www.350.org

Cards Of Hope

As we all know, the citizens of Haiti have recently been devastated by a massive earthquake which took close to 200 000 lives. The survivors are suffering greatly as food, water and shelter are slowly being brought in to this country. The world watches on with desperate eyes as medical teams and rescue workers struggle on, trying to bring relief to those who can be reached.


This tragic event has touched each of us, in some way, and a world full of ‘THANKS!’ is on each of our lips as we praise the efforts of those able to help.

Last night, Joanne and I joined millions of other individuals from across North America to unite in collective thoughts of hope for the survivors of this tragedy. We don’t often spend our evenings glued to the television set, but this was an evening that warranted this seemingly insignificant act.


It seems hard to believe that thinking about something can actually have an impact on a global event – or any event for that matter, but I believe this to be true. We humans are composed of Earthly matter and universal energies and whenever we think about anything or do anything we are sending the energies of our minds and muscle outwards into this world. As individuals the energies that we are continuously sending out – twenty four hours a day (even while we are dreaming) – most times loose themselves in the chaos of all the other energies that are ebbing and flowing across the surface of this planet.


When small groups of individuals gather to dedicate themselves to a particular matter, these energies converge and unite into stronger wave patterns. When an entire world is dedicated towards one train of thought and one uniting purpose then patterns of energies begin to emerge in empowering ways.

I’ve always wondered if one day humans will actually be able to see and recognize these energy manifestations.


Music is a very enlightening energy producer and celebrities from around the world packed the three hour telethon that we watched, last night on CBC. In between performances news reporters took us on many journeys through Haiti – through the devastated cities and countryside. They showed the horrors that survivors will be dealing with for many weeks to come and they showed the strength and compassion that is extending its heart and hands in efforts to bring relief.


Every performance was filled with strength for hope for the people of Haiti. Gordon Downie, from The Tragically Hip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGnAGbTdWhA) could be seen wiping a tear away after the emotional performance of ‘Fiddler’s Green’. Bruce Springsteen was calling to the world for support with every sobering note he plucked on his guitar. Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ which was accompanied by a choir, sent chills of confusion and sorrow through me as I felt the song begin with its haunting tones. As this song continued bursts of hope and light radiated from the stage to fill all viewers hearts with strength and love. I’m not much of Coldplay or Justin Timberlake fan, but I became one… if even for a few minutes! Stevie Wonder twisted his fingers all over his piano to bring an empowering medley to life. This performance ended with a breathtaking rendition of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B07qowh0YQ) and Stevie’s vocals cracked something inside my eye as I felt a small wet drop spilling over my bottom lid.


The evening ended with two supergroup performances. The Edge, Bono, Jay Z and Rihanna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTa8aGvU9CE) were brought together to unite people from different musical genres in a celebration of love. I thought that it was great that Bono did not steal centre stage – as his soul was designed (LOL!) – but seemed to be there to let the other performers shine while he contributed in a more supporting role… except for a few hoots and hollers he managed to sneak in nearing the end of the song!!!!

Dave Matthews and Neil Young brought this evening to an end in a spectacular way. You could see these two musicians churning their talents together as their guitars sang to each other, feeding one another and feeding from each other (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk6OcXb-W2E).


It is really spiritually satisfying to witness a world uniting for such a worthy cause. I sat in silence with Joanne after this show and thought about the world’s future… as events such as this one will become more frequent and undoubtedly more devastating as global weather patterns become more extreme over the coming decades (and centuries). My thoughts of the future do not revolve around the human spirit as it deals with these crisis after they have occurred, but more to the idea that we will need to unite in new ways to create preventative actions as a way of preparing ourselves for the unexpected.


So… ‘Cards Of Hope’…

Michele Johnson is a friend of mine and an elementary school teacher. We attended a small friends gathering, last summer, and shared with each other many stories about our work with children, the environment and art. Two months later she shared with me her story about ‘Cards Of Hope’.


Michele told me that the students and parents of her school are continuously being asked to participate in fund raising efforts for a variety of causes. She wanted to create a small event that would allow her students to make a positive effect in the world that focussed on individual efforts instead of donations of money. “If the students simply donate a dollar or two to an effort they quickly forget about it, but if the students spend time thinking about a cause and work towards helping as they can, then they become more attached to the cause and then it becomes a part of them.”


Michele agreed that there are always people in need, somewhere in the world, and so she asked her students to create colourful cards with inspirational messages that would be sent to wherever they are needed most.

Though this artwork is several months old and these cards have already been sent to different parts of the world, I thought that it would be appropriate to share these artworks throughout this blog.


I want to inspire people to realize the value of our thoughts and how considerate concentration can make a difference. For those of us who are able to create positive change I want to inspire you to realize that simple and thoughtful actions can really make a world of difference.

Jim