One of the rewards of blogging is knowing that, in my own small way, my work here has the potential to inspire others.
Sorry. It’s hard to type with this lump in my throat.
Kelowna, BC – before and during “Earth Hour”.
OMG is this cute or what? Is there anything more heartwarming than a child’s first private Urban Heat Island Effect experience? They’ll remember this night for the rest of their lives, Jay. You’re a great dad.
One doesn’t even have to turn on all the lights in the house. Just forget that Earth Hour even exists and live as one would normally do. Earth Hour is fuelled by the power of commands. “Turn off the lights!” The response should be: “Why?” People who DID turn off the lights are patting themselves on the back thinking they’ve done something worthwhile. Perhaps they would like to explain that in pragmatic terms. How much energy was saved? How did it help humanity? Of course, nothing useful came out of it but I would still like to see some fumbling for an answer. I could use a good laugh.
I decided to heat my house using the broiler on my electric range, left my 25 year-old vacuum running, and kept the fridge and freezer door open. I think I burned out the bearings in my smart meter.
Will have to leave testing of most of my electrical appliances for the next Human Achievement Hour. Left all the lights on in the place when I left and noticed that a surprising number of people had their Christmas lights on again. It was so gratifying to see this as I was walking. The only lights that were off were in the same houses that they’re normally off early in the evening as it appears there are some extreme morning chronotypes in my neighborhood.
I suspect going to see a band at a club is an appropriate celebration of human achievement and I made sure to drink beer imported from another continent. While it fits with human achievements, it is sure bizarre to see people dancing and texting on their cell phones at the same time.
I’ve got no pictures, but I have numbers: 8.25 kWh used from 8:30 to 9:30 last night…negating the equivalent of 137 60-Watt light bulbs being turned off.
I watched my electric meter take about 20 seconds per revolution before HAH, then stepped back outside at 8:40 to see it zooming around every 2 seconds. Next year, I’d hope we can spread the word farther and wider to ensure that the “backup power” generators have to get switched on.
Human achievement night should be every night.
You cannot see a picture but I think that graph recorded it. I purposely ordered a few CT scans right at 8:30. Felt good. 😉
I don’t understand the ignorance here. Example: “Sean Peake” who left his broiler on to heat the house, and a vaccum cleaner running for the duration of “Earth Hour.”
I know this. Come the next federal election, and given the morons that show up on this site and call themselves “Conservatives,” you’ll be doing the “Earth Hour” thing whether you like it or not. Just after CBC and CTV announce that the Liberals have swept Ontario, you’ll be shutting the lights off and going to bed an hour earlier.
After all the MSM BS about great participation blah, blah, blah, the actual power reduction figure was four per cent in Ontario! That has got to hurt! Looks like the marxists will have to find another way for their little brainwashed followers to badger their parents and enhance their “we are saving the world” self esteem.
And the ultimate sneer…I forgot all about it. Rest assured, however, my husband was out of town so the furnace was on while the doors were open to facilitate a good spring airing.
Furthermore, I propose a North American tire burning event next year in honor of Earth Day. I sent that suggestion as a joke last year to my stablemates after receiving a laughable call to participation by our boss. Two of them thought I was serious and volunteered to bring the refreshments. So, there’s a definite audience out there ready for a good tire burning. Who’s in?
And this thread would not be complete without inclusion of the near cat-astrophe that happened in BC.