Millions of homes across Europe switched off their lights today for 5 minutes. A campaign organized by French environmental group L'Alliance pour la Planète to raise awareness on global warming. Eiffel Tower and Rome's Colosseum joined in to give the planet a short respite.
It wasn't so dramatic here in the US. Partly because it was daylight, but mainly because the media ignored it. I did my little part and unplugged after work. Sitting in the dark strangely reminded me of my college days. Blackouts were frequent back then. Another excuse for me to chill out. Lazy days of yore :) Getting back to the point...
The lights out campaign was organized to coincide with release of IPCC's 4th report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) . The report is expected to call for urgent and decisive action. Developing countries like India are going to be the most seriously hit by climate change. Millions of people could become climate refugees. Sunderbans is already feeling the impact.
Makes me wonder.... Will we change in time ? Or are we headed towards permanent lights out ?
10 comments:
I'm not sure what happened in the rest of India but in Belgaum, we were out of power for 4 hrs, 2 days ago... I can tell you this... it wasn't to provide support as a precursor to the campaign :-)
I've been to villages here, that have power cuts daily for 8 hrs...
Permanent 'lights on' has never become a reality in my town (or most of India I suppose)... whether that is a blessing or a curse depends on who you ask. I for one think that the lack of an amenity just makes you more aware of its value and propels you to use it with caution.
While in school power cuts were an excuse to skip my homework & play hide and seek :-). There were times, while in the US, when I wished for power failure to put a break on the hectic routine.. If we don't change in time, that wish might just become a reality.
I hope more people took notice of the campaign...it would a rude awakening to those who can't perceive life without electricity.
I think what would be even more beneficial would be to change all the energy guzzling incandescent lights with energy efficient CFL lamps in your home.
Kuttan,
Yes. I did that about 2 years ago. To top that I buy wind energy credits for the rest of my consumption. I not only preach, I really walk the talk :)
I come here for hope...and to be shaken out of apathy....and you never fail to deliver!!
Your photographs are amazing, leaves me with a heartache sometimes when I see the trees and mountains and realise that we may never have it again.
A hug for a tree hugger!
Shweta,
You are so right. Lack of an amenity makes one appreciate the value of it. When there is plenty, people become so wasteful.
Silverline,
Many thanks. Friendly hugs to you too:)
Just curious Riot... what camera do you use for your experiments?
Shweta,
I use the old Canon Rebel Digital SLR(6 MP) plus a few canon lenses
Thanks Riot,
You've got a good collection on ur photoblog... coming from one amateur to another it might not mean much, (errr.. assuming that you are an ameteur. If not, I'm glad I'm not saying this to you in person :P )
but I really liked some of your compositions.
Shweta,
Glad you liked the photographs Yes, I am very much the amateur :)
Flickr is an amazing place.
Post a Comment