Lights Off, Universe On
Earth Hour 2008
 

An idea sparked off in 1997 by S.P.A.C.E. mentor Dr Nirupama Raghavan to switch off all city lights for an hour and get a dark site experience from your own city was independently picked up by WWF, Australia a decade later, this time, to help save the planet.

For them, it started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.

That was last year. On the 31st of March 2007, Sydney plunged into darkness. It was an effort by 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses as they turned off their lights for one hour. It was a symbolic event that made the world take notice. It was Earth Hour 2007. In 72 hours that followed hundreds of articles were written. Major news networks carried this unique feed and the world joined in. Major global cities like Copenhagen, Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning what was essentially a Sydney event into a global movement.

Global warming is having a devastating effect all over the world. As governments play the passing game and try to wipe their hands clean, you can stand up and make a difference. No city from India has been officially registered for Earth Hour 2008. Let us show the authorities, we care. Let them stay ignorant, let us play our part and help save our cradle in space. Let us turn off the lights for one hour at 8 pm on March 29, 2008.

For amateur astronomers this presents a unique opportunity to turn that light polluted city into your very own dark site. Don't let it slip. Spread the word. Make your favorite restaurant serve candle-light dinner. Ask your local grocer to shut off the lights and take part in changing the world. Enjoy the hour with your friends and family by taking out your telescope and gazing at the stars from your backyard. You can make a difference. Schools will organize star parties. Thousands of people who have never seen the real night sky will get a glimpse of wonder of our universe. It will literally be "Lights off, Universe on"

In a country like India where we are facing an acute shortage of power and energy, an event such as Earth Hour takes on a special significance. By switching off your lights you will not only do your bit to show that you care for our planet and play your part in beginning to curb global warming, you will also save energy. Go ahead. Make it count. Here's your chance. Participate.

Earth Hour 2008 - 8 pm, 29th March

"I'm just one person. What can I do about global warming?"
"I try to be environmentally aware, I try not to be wasteful, I try to do the right thing."
 

Join in and register yourself by clicking here