(Don’t) Leave A Light On

By Dilaila Mohd Yunus

Earth Hour 2010 came and went. The lights were back on at 9.30pm on Saturday, 27 March, but it seems most people are still in the dark. As far as publicity goes, Earth Hour scored top marks. Everyone and their dog seem to know about Earth Hour and everyone is urging everyone else to turn off their lights on the designated hour.

Some had candlelight dinners, without realising certain candles contribute to air pollution through carbon dioxide, lead and benzene.

Likewise the charcoal in barbecues.

Then there are those who turned the lights off in a particular building for an hour, and proceeded to hold energy-guzzling concerts.

The very same buildings which are decorated like a Christmas-tree for the rest of the year, especially during the festive seasons.

Speaking of Christmas trees, I think it’s high time we stop decorating our roads (and buildings) with light bulbs during special occasions. Plant more trees instead to mark a VIP’s birthday, a public holiday, a festive season.

And how many of those who turned off the lights for that one hour use energy-saving bulbs for the 8759 hours before the next Earth Hour?

Besides, what’s the point of turning off the lights in the house when your air-cond is on full blast? Not to mention the other trappings of civilisation like the TV set , Astro, DVD player, hot shower, laptops and modem etc are on 24/7, even when you’re not using them?

Considering the amount of air-conds, TV sets, laptops, hot showers and other applications in each household, these contribute to a much bigger amount of energy consumption that the savings generated during Earth Hour.

Wouldn’t it be more relevant to designate Earth Hour as a No-Air Cond Hour (or heater, depending on climate) or No Driving Hour?

I don’t see No Air-Cond Hour kicking-off though. For one, it  wouldn’t be as visible as seeing your whole neighbourhood in darkness. No publicity value there. Secondly, it involves a lot more sacrifice for those who are only in it for the ‘cool’ factor.

No Driving Hour, on the other hand, would be more impactful on educational, results and publicity front.

Thing is, Earth Hour is brilliant at concept level. There’s no denying that it is a great publicity stunt. Kudos to Earth Hour for creating global awareness on the event.

Hopefully, in time, Earth Hour and the corporations who support it, would be able to cast the light on the real issues which harm the earth and illuminate the masses on sustainable steps on saving the environment.

In the meantime, I’d leave the lights on.  After all, I use energy-saving bulbs, bring my own shopping bag to the supermarket and drive a small car. 8760 hours in a year.

The writer worked on this article without the benefit of air-cond or desk lamp. She is an international award-winning KL-based creative consultant with more than a decade’s experience in some of Malaysia’s most prominent advertising agencies and now runs In Other Words.