Earth Hour 20h30-21h30 25/03/2017

[biometrics]

"Earth Hour does not purport to be an energy/carbon reduction exercise, it is a symbolic action. Therefore, we do not engage in the measurement of energy/carbon reduction levels for the hour itself. Earth Hour is an initiative to encourage individuals, businesses and governments around the world to take accountability for their ecological footprint and engage in dialogue and resource exchange that provides real solutions to our environmental challenges. Participation in Earth Hour symbolises a commitment to change beyond the hour."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Hour

So it achieves nothing. Got it.

 

[cupcake]

The entire world needs to hear this :[video=youtube_share;ovrKGP22L38]https://youtu.be/ovrKGP22L38"]https://youtu.be/ovrKGP22L38[/video]

 

[cupcake]

So it achieves nothing. Got it.

Use your power sign the petition:
http://earthhour.org.za/why-were-asking-eskom-to-lift-the-brakes-on-renewables/

"Why we’re asking Eskom to lift the brakes on renewables:

As part of this year’s Earth Hour campaign, WWF South Africa is calling on you to hold Eskom to account by demanding a renewable energy future and meeting our CoP21 commitments.

In December 2015, over 190 countries, including SA, came together in a milestone global decision to combat climate change – the Paris Agreement.

By halting our renewable energy plans, Eskom is seriously affecting our ability to meet this commitment. We can’t let this happen.

Our globally hailed and lauded Renewable Energy Power Producer Procurement Programme has grown from strength to strength.

Despite this success, in 2016, Eskom refused to sign the full amount of contracts that formed part of the programme, effectively putting the brakes on the country’s renewable energy potential and its numerous benefits to the South African people.

Not only does renewable energy reduce carbon emissions but it is scalable and rapidly deployable which means that it can be built quickly to match the country’s need for energy. Far quicker than large coal and nuclear new builds.

Renewable energy also means a better life for communities surrounding mines that are harrowingly affected by the health impacts of this method.

All this adds up to a huge threat to the country’s developmental goals, and gains, as set out in the National Development Plan for poverty and inequality to be eliminated by 2030.

If we continue to burn coal, oil and gas as we do, and if we do not reduce our carbon emissions immediately, we will jeopardise our ability to stay below 1.5 °C average global temperature needed to avoid catastrophic climate change."

 

[MisterFortySomething]

So it achieves nothing. Got it.

Not true. I held a lot of introspection on Earth Hour, wondering why I was not invited to the braai going on outside.

 

[Hamster]

Use your power sign the petition:
http://earthhour.org.za/why-were-asking-eskom-to-lift-the-brakes-on-renewables/

"Why we’re asking Eskom to lift the brakes on renewables:

As part of this year’s Earth Hour campaign, WWF South Africa is calling on you to hold Eskom to account by demanding a renewable energy future and meeting our CoP21 commitments.

In December 2015, over 190 countries, including SA, came together in a milestone global decision to combat climate change – the Paris Agreement.

By halting our renewable energy plans, Eskom is seriously affecting our ability to meet this commitment. We can’t let this happen.

Our globally hailed and lauded Renewable Energy Power Producer Procurement Programme has grown from strength to strength.

Despite this success, in 2016, Eskom refused to sign the full amount of contracts that formed part of the programme, effectively putting the brakes on the country’s renewable energy potential and its numerous benefits to the South African people.

Not only does renewable energy reduce carbon emissions but it is scalable and rapidly deployable which means that it can be built quickly to match the country’s need for energy. Far quicker than large coal and nuclear new builds.

Renewable energy also means a better life for communities surrounding mines that are harrowingly affected by the health impacts of this method.

All this adds up to a huge threat to the country’s developmental goals, and gains, as set out in the National Development Plan for poverty and inequality to be eliminated by 2030.

If we continue to burn coal, oil and gas as we do, and if we do not reduce our carbon emissions immediately, we will jeopardise our ability to stay below 1.5 °C average global temperature needed to avoid catastrophic climate change."

Done

 

[Dave]

Do you power down for Earth Hour? What do you do for entertainment during this time?
http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/this_weekend_turn_out_your_lights_for_earth_hour_2017

Stupid idea, what does it prove?

 

[RyanPCMR]

Earth Hour 2017

There's an official thread over here as well:
Switch off your lights for Earth Hour – Eskom to South Africa.

This is a worldwide effort that's now used by Eskom to tell people "hey, we're not so bad".

Eskom really couldn't care less about you saving energy during this hour, they'll still be applying for an increase in pricing anyway

 

[cupcake]

Stupid idea, what does it prove?

If you have read the links and understand that it is the world's largest collective demonstration against climate and what it has achieved thus far and you still think it is pointless then nothing I could say is going to change your mind.

 

[saturnz]

If you have read the links and understand that it is the world's largest collective demonstration against climate and what it has achieved thus far and you still think it is pointless then nothing I could say is going to change your mind.

that's sort of like muslims demonstrating against terrorists... a pointless exercise

 

[Hamster]

that's sort of like muslims demonstrating against terrorists... a pointless exercise

You cannot see the value of speeding awareness? Come on now.

 

[cupcake]

I find it interesting that people are prepared to put in effort and time here to say "it's stupid, pointless, doesn't have any effect" but won't take the time to sign the petition that shows collective solidarity or join the demonstration while others don't even bother to comment and just go on as usual. This is one of the most significant topics of our time yet the "Spur Incident" is the top news. No wonder progress is so slow and companies continue to destroy our environment and Eskom continues to make decisions that benefit them and not us.

WHEN YOU REMAIN SILENT YOU PICK A SIDE!!!!!

 

[Dave]

If you have read the links and understand that it is the world's largest collective demonstration against climate and what it has achieved thus far and you still think it is pointless then nothing I could say is going to change your mind.

So sitting in the dark proves that? How exactly?

Wouldn't the time be better spent with the lights on reading about this? and why is a "demonstration against climate" even a thing? Without climate on earth I doubt farming would work at all...

 

[cupcake]

So sitting in the dark proves that? How exactly?

Wouldn't the time be better spent with the lights on reading about this? and why is a "demonstration against climate" even a thing? Without climate on earth I doubt farming would work at all...

I spent the time by candlelight with my SO, some of the time we chatted about things we could change to make a greater contribution to climate change so it was time well spent for us. One of which was a example made by Hamster (thanks for that) for Meat free Monday's we have never done this before but have agreed this is the way forward. Even the smallest effort accumulates, spreads and adds up.

 

[Dave]

I spent the time by candlelight with my SO, some of the time we chatted about things we could change to make a greater contribution to climate change so it was time well spent for us. One of which was a example made by Hamster (thanks for that) for Meat free Monday's we have never done this before but have agreed this is the way forward. Even the smallest effort accumulates, spreads and adds up.

So how does that make any sort of demonstration?

Surely you didn't need to add to the carbon in the atmosphere by burning a petroleum product to have a discussion or make those decisions...

 

[cupcake]

So how does that make any sort of demonstration?

Surely you didn't need to add to the carbon in the atmosphere by burning a petroleum product to have a discussion or make those decisions...

Do you recycle?

 

[Dave]

Do you recycle?

Yes, but that's nothing to do with some political stunt.

You haven't answered why you think it's a good idea to make more carbon emissions whilst pretending to care by switching off the lights for an hour. The power stations still burnt the same amount of coal during that hour, you actually added to the carbon emissions by burning petroleum products for that hour.

You're a bit of an environmental vandal, aren't you?

 

[cupcake]

Yes, but that's nothing to do with some political stunt.

You haven't answered why you think it's a good idea to make more carbon emissions whilst pretending to care by switching off the lights for an hour. The power stations still burnt the same amount of coal during that hour, you actually added to the carbon emissions by burning petroleum products for that hour.

You're a bit of an environmental vandal, aren't you?

LOL a environmental vandal for burning a candle that is funny.

Awesome you recycle so you are already doing more than most people. Add one more thing each Earth Hour and it is going to have a impact. Along the way I have stopped using plastic straws because of how devastating they are to ocean life that is a good next move for you if you would like to make a difference. I bought the most devine glass straw replacement which is so much nicer anyway you can buy them online from Faithful to Nature.

The movement is not about what happens in that hour and If you really want those questions answered go read the links provided they have all the answers, that's why they were posted.

 

[biometrics]

I haven't used straws for decades so I win.

 

[Dave]

Consider what you've just said.

You say:

LOL a environmental vandal for burning a candle that is funny.

So you added one more thing that contributes to carbon emissions, no?


Turn that around:

Add one more thing each Earth Hour and it is going to have a impact.

So if a million people burned an extra candle? how about a billion people lighting extra candles?

All the while the coal is still being shovelled into the power stations...

You advocating the use of additional petroleum products without a reasonable practical necessity for them (just for a show to salve your conscience) is effectively environmental terrorism if you persuade enough people to participate.

 

[cupcake]

Consider what you've just said.

You say:


So you added one more thing that contributes to carbon emissions, no?


Turn that around:


So if a million people burned an extra candle? how about a billion people lighting extra candles?

All the while the coal is still being shovelled into the power stations...

You advocating the use of additional petroleum products without a reasonable practical necessity for them (just for a show to salve your conscience) is effectively environmental terrorism if you persuade enough people to participate.

Environmental terrorism LOL if you want to troll me you might want to be a bit less obvious!

I don't need to clear my conscience I do everything I can to minimise my impact and yes I live in the civilised world and it's not perfect but if everyone's behaviour was the same as mine we would not have such a big problem.