Spring Break
Column: Saturday's Earth Hour a start for global climate and energy change
Joshua Aromin
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
03/31/09 -Through economic disarray and with an ongoing war, countries' populations around the world were somehow able to coordinate - even if just for an hour to observe the World Wildlife Federation's Earth Hour.
Saturday, countries all over the globe turned out their lights at 8:30 p.m. during their respective local times. According to the Earth Hour Web site, more than 4,000 cities and towns participated, across more than 88 countries. The first event took place exclusively in Australia in 2007, but for this year's occasion, countries ranging from New Zealand to the Philippines participated.
If Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Foundation, makes any indication, it's presumable that the world's population really does care about the planet's environment, but its true influence on the world will be seen in December when world leaders meet at the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations' Climate Change Convention.
With climate change and greenhouse gases becoming more prevalent in news headlines, and with further developments in hybrid car technology, there is now a larger concern for saving energy and frankly, saving the planet.
In the past, the United States refused to accept the 1997 Kyoto Protocol's climate guidelines, but with the meeting in Copenhagen just months away, there is a chance to change. According to CNN.com, President Barack Obama has invited 16 world leaders with major economies to the White House to discuss energy and climate.
While it's refreshing and somewhat surprising to see a large chunk of the world population cooperate together for Earth Hour, the lasting energy effects ultimately lie with the world's leaders.
On the WWF Web site, International Director Gen. James Leape said, "Our work continues, because over the next eight months, the leaders of the world will be deciding how they step up to meet this challenge, and we need, together, to make sure they do the right thing."
Saturday, countries all over the globe turned out their lights at 8:30 p.m. during their respective local times. According to the Earth Hour Web site, more than 4,000 cities and towns participated, across more than 88 countries. The first event took place exclusively in Australia in 2007, but for this year's occasion, countries ranging from New Zealand to the Philippines participated.
If Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Foundation, makes any indication, it's presumable that the world's population really does care about the planet's environment, but its true influence on the world will be seen in December when world leaders meet at the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations' Climate Change Convention.
With climate change and greenhouse gases becoming more prevalent in news headlines, and with further developments in hybrid car technology, there is now a larger concern for saving energy and frankly, saving the planet.
In the past, the United States refused to accept the 1997 Kyoto Protocol's climate guidelines, but with the meeting in Copenhagen just months away, there is a chance to change. According to CNN.com, President Barack Obama has invited 16 world leaders with major economies to the White House to discuss energy and climate.
While it's refreshing and somewhat surprising to see a large chunk of the world population cooperate together for Earth Hour, the lasting energy effects ultimately lie with the world's leaders.
On the WWF Web site, International Director Gen. James Leape said, "Our work continues, because over the next eight months, the leaders of the world will be deciding how they step up to meet this challenge, and we need, together, to make sure they do the right thing."
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