The world is observing Earth Hour today, an initiative by WWF, as the individuals and companies would switch off lights for one hour – from 8:30 PM. But I will not be observing Earth Hour as we already have half an hour power cut officially everyday and the un-official power cuts are even longer. People from other states in India says that some of them have 2 hours long power cuts and some others have it for more than 4 hours.
All of this when people in the West (and Middle East too) enjoy the uninterrupted power and use it as much as they like (except for “Earth Hour” of course). The creamy layer in India also eats up gallons of gas for uninterrupted power supply in their luxury apartments or villas, so they also can go “Green” in the Earth Hour. So it zeroes into the majority of common man in India who is being burnt in their non-AC rooms after his day’s hard work. And it’s not breezy outside, to go for a pleasant walk. And the common man would rather stay inside than “going out” during this time of recession. So no Earth Hour for me today.
Talking about awareness, one can do better than observing Earth Hour. Starting with shutting down the computer when not in use or switching off the AC and lights in the office bay when leaving for the day. So let those who utilize the power to the maximum around the world (except the Earth Hours) observe Earth Hours. At least that will make some change. I don’t think I need to smell like a rotten fish in the sweat for one hour in this hot summer. Those who rarely have power cuts and don’t give a damn about whether the earth heats or cools can try it though.