ADV： Earth Hour 2009, 28th March

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

The above passage is quoted from official site of Earth Hour Malaysia
Earth Hour in Malaysia is planned and run by WWF-Malaysia and its partners. Sign up & pledge your support today at http://www.earthhour.org or the respective country pages (i.e - http://www.earthhour.org/malaysia) .
For those who are in Malaysia, you can even download EHM's desktop calendar, PC Wallpaper, web banner or order EHM's T-shirt through EHM!!

Some of you might wonder, how would it change anything at all just by switching off the lights for ONE HOUR? DID IT MATTER?
Well, According to TIME Magazine:

The average American produces about 20 tons of the major greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) every year. That might sound like a lot — and Americans do have among the biggest carbon footprints in the world — but the entire world emits around 27 billion tons of CO2 each year, through transportation, electricity use, deforestation. Look at those numbers for a moment, and you'll realize there's very little that any of us can do on an individual level to stop climate change. Live like a monk, take away your 20 tons — stop breathing if you'd like — and you'll barely scratch the surface.

And according to 《大马环境全纪录》：(after translation)

1.The state government of Taoyuan, Taiwan implemented the "Switch off the lights for one hour EVERY AFTERNOON" policy in respond to reducing CO2. Even the elevators will be switched down within the hour. Within 6 months, the state of Taoyuan has saved a total of NT$2.45million (equivalent to RM260k, about RM43k a month!)

2.Lighting normally account for 15%-20% of every household electricity bill. So IF every household switch off the light for one house, the accumulated electricity is enough for you to watch one hour of late night news EVERYDAY for a month.

3.According to estimation, when a 100,000 people in a city switch off the lights simultaneously = switch off 3 million bulbs of 100Watts = 187 tonnes of CO2 reduced. This equals to reducing carbon waste being expel into the air by 70,000 cars during peak hours!

So what is your decision?
WOULD YOU SUPPORT EARTH HOUR TODAY?

For more video, visit http://www.youtube.com/earthhourmalaysia