Earth Hour - A Misguided Approach


Recently a lot of din is created by the media over the Earth hour day organised in around 147 countries on Saturday 31st March from 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m.The occasion this time is termed as a grand success and an indicator of growing concern in the society for the Mother Earth.Earth hour day is the initiation of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to be organised on the last Saturday of March.It is an hour where the participating cities voluntarily swicthes off the lights and electricity appliances for an hour.This activity, this time, cut down the use of electricity in that single hour by 49 MW in Mumbai alone.This give reason to cherish for the organizers. But does Earthhour day is the correct indicator of our responsibility towards Earth. Let us analyse.
The use of incandescent bulb is the centre of discussion when we talk of Earth hour day.90% of the energy used by the incandescent bulb is dissipated in the form of heat.The heat generated from incandescent bulb is the important factor of global warming.Global warming or Green House Effect or increaese in temperature of Earth have very dire consequences.It includes melting of ice caps, increases in sea water level, increase in growth of certain type of unwanted species of plants and animals, termination of certain type of species of plants and animals.Global warming have some direct and immediate effect on human also like irritation in skin ,respiratory problems, being vulnerable to to common disease, etc.
So to show off the care for Mother Earth, we organised the Earth hour day.This is the most childish way one can treat with the subject that need very serious approach.Increases in temperature of the Earth lead to changes that are alarming in context of Ecological balance of Earth.If not treated properly the cost of the harm done to the nature by the man will have to be pay by the future generation of not only man but also of the plants and animals and every living species.Earth hour day is dangerous in its concept because it establish a wrong belief in the mind of the people that they have contributed well and enough towards the well of the Earth by switching off their lights by 1 hour.1 hour is the 1/24th part of the day.And there are 365 days in one year.Is 1 hour per year enough for man to spark concerns and paying their dues towards the crime done against Earth and future generation? Is 1 hour per year enough for paying obeisance for the termination of plants and animals species that inhabited the planet for ages? Perhaps 'NO'.
Earth hour day is the well intended but a misguided approach.It look beautiful.CST, Taj, Marine drive all went black for 1 hour.Wow! what a show.But really it is a show only .Earth hour day is like a plastic flower.Beautiful but no essence, no life, all useless.
Earth hour day need to be replace by some serious approach.It will yield more useful results if we start at the grass root level.
  1.  23W CFL is as lightful as 100W incandescent bulb.It will be a big step forward if we make people agree to switch over from incandescent bulb to florescent light(CFL), latter being of higher cost.CFL not only cuts down on power usage but also have soothing effect.
  2. People should be educated and encourage for the purchase of 4 and 5 star rated electrical product by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency which cost higher but are very effective in cutting electric bills.
  3. School going children can prove very useful in this drive.Regular programme of quiz, projects, debate in schools can give useful results.It will involve students and year after year it will generate better ideas and concrete approach in them.
  4. Public, in general, should be appreciated for their proper use of energy.Reduction in the electricity usage in a particular bill of a household should attract discount.And these type of responsible people should be identify for appreciation by the civic authorities to serve as an example for others.
Energy consumption and Global warming are the burning issues that needs serious and not frivolous approach like Earth hour day.

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