Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
60 things to do during Earth Hour
Share:
by Amy Judd | March 29, 2008 at 12:30 pm
3353 views | 5 Recommendations | 31 comments
Photos
Videos
I hope that everyone is going to take part in earth hour today, and for some of you, I hope that you did all take part. Here is a list of things to do if you're wondering how you will survive without tv or the internet for an hour - I haven't highlighted the whole list here but it's a good start!
Turn out your lights everyone!
1. Start early. Switch off before the sun sets and soak up the twilight.
2. Go for a walk and see what the neighbours have switched off.
3. Or turn on all the lights in every room and see how long it takes before someone knocks on your door.
4. At which point, you can host an Earth Hour Party: BYO (beeswax!) candle and no plastic cups.
5. One word: Fondue! You get a great meal, no electricity required.
6. Chill your wine outside.
7. Hand-wash your delicates.
8. Harness the combined romance of candlelight and eco-chivalry to pop the question.
9. Dig out your clarinet, ocarina or guitar for an acoustic music night. Practise without looking at your hands.
10. Debate whether one hour can trigger social change.
11. Or just whistle in the dark.
12. Recite memorized poetry.
13. Avoid using anything that requires power. Including batteries.
14. Throw an indoor marshmallow roast (use shish-kebab skewers, mini-marshmallows and a tea light).
15. Go totally 18th-century and play charades by candlelight.
16. Look for stars in the darker night sky, or moon dance.
17. Read a book about the environment.
18. Tell ghost stories. Go down to the basement in a negligee to investigate dark spooky corners.
19. Build a fort out of cushions and blankets (don't take candles inside!).
20. Bust out the Ouija board, host a séance.
21. Dig out your Dungeons and Dragons dice for an atmospheric apocalyptic game.
22. Don't be lame and watch television. You're only going to miss the Habs build a 4-0 lead over the Leafs.
23. Prove to yourself that, yes, you can go 60 minutes without updating your Facebook status.
24. Don't forget fitness. Practise naked yoga.
25. Conserve water. Share a bath.
26. Or go to bed early. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
27. Consider getting some help if the results of No. 26 only took one minute.
28. Spin a globe to find your next holiday destination.
29. Introduce "Avant-garde Art in the Dark" hour (with a large drop sheet to catch spills).
30. Reject the idea, string yourself in Xmas lights, and walk around as a glowing sculpture.
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
Crowd Power
dreamdancer_rus
Russia
wiccked
brisbane, Queensland, Australiamoirabot
auckland, New Zealand
Amy Judd
Vancouver, CanadaSteve Koukoulas
Australia
cltyw79
AustraliaAndrius Kleiva.
Lithuanianateisagirlsname
Byron, Georgia, United StatesSunrizer
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canadahmoffatt
Australia
catechstrophy
Sydney, AustraliaQuang.Nguyen
Australia
7july
Bangkok, ThailandRachel on holidays sometimes
AustraliaJunkByJo
AustraliaLost Through the Lens
AustraliaAmelia-Jane
AustraliaCarla W.
Australiaoccluders
AustraliaMr Azza
Australiakmacp
Canadathe.ben.watts
Canadalgbsneak
Plainsboro, New Jersey, United StatesTherev1969
CanadaTylerVersion2
Canadaelliottucker
IrelandLucyNuzum
Ireland
Maltesen
Copenhagen, Denmarkfelicia.singkang
Australiastaceyfike
West Paducah, Kentucky, United StatesApollo 11
CanadaKcweiss
Chicago, Illinois, United Statesbonnimichelle
Pensacola, Florida, United Statesplanetbaldy
Charlotte, North Carolina, United Statesjywheeler
Canada
seamesse
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (31)
at 13:55 on March 29th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff. Excellent ideas all, one thing people should do as well is pull out the bulbs, place them in a dishtowel and clean the grit and grime that accumulates on them with windshield washer fluid, why windshild washer fluid, well they are designed for removing tar and road grime and a gallon at $2.00 bucks is far cheaper than 16 ounces of windex at $5.00. Then they should move on to those Indoor air quality Eco friendly ceiling fans. Those blades get so filthy with crud they increase rotational drag, thus increasing power consumption. As for the Televison, turn it off, and damp wipe the monitor with glass cleaner to remove the grit that is attracted to it , then take a dry cloth and do the vents in the back, the same with the computer, every bit helps reduce energy. Once all these tasks are completed, congratulate yourself by manually opening a tin of meat for the cat.
People shouldn't stop at just lighting
which is just a blip on the Eco Chart, I have provided a link to help anyone who wishes to do more, especially in the Kitchen in which a lot of power consumption outshines any light bulbs.
http://www.jibjab.com/view/141756
Thanks for caring
Signed Barry "Anal Retentative" Artiste, who obviously needs to get a life.
at 14:12 on March 29th, 2008
Good ideas Barry, thanks! I will still be working but am going to run my laptop off the battery and I will have to take some pictures of my own personal earth hour and upload them later!
Thanks for the link!
at 14:39 on March 29th, 2008
I am sure most will find the link both entertaining and insightful, from his cooking technique to recycling. But people, really, really have to have an open mind and see the big picture.
at 14:17 on March 29th, 2008
Hi Amy - I plan to participate here in the tiny City of North Tonawanda, NY. Thanks for the list -- how creative. I do think Earth Hour can facilitate the needed awareness and I want to thank you for bringing it to our attention
Barry - I think you've been on that boat too long:) Enjoy the hour!
at 14:19 on March 29th, 2008
I agree Rhonda - I just hope that many people feel it is important to take part and we can make a real difference!
at 14:27 on March 29th, 2008
Perhaps, I have Rhonda been on my boat too long, but Cookery and Boating are both passions of mine, though I could only find Phil Hartmans Eco cookery, I am actively seeking Wayne Gretzkys Eco Boating and Fishing video, I think it was SNL's Anal Retentative Fisherman episode, a fine Eco Boating video. We all need some humour in life when faced with difficult challenges and bad news every day.
In all seriousness, there is a ton of stuff we can do for the environment, such as using 1/2" - 1" inch of aquarium gravel on top of your plants soil, thus preventing mould, insects and their eggs from entering or escaping into your household or office air that you breath, costs pennies when compared to air cleaners sold today, that really dont work, when a good quality filter firmly fitted with foam tape around your your furnace filter box does the same thing. So you see every little thing helps.
at 14:23 on March 29th, 2008
I hope so too!
at 15:02 on March 29th, 2008
The atmosphere at Milsons Point in Sydney was great, lots of people with picnics enjoying the mild evening air. A little cheer went up when first the Harbour Bridge lights went off, followed by the lights in Luna Park and then the Opera House.
catechstrophy has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:14 on March 29th, 2008
Barry - I agree on both counts. There are many simple things we can do everyday and we certainly can use a bit of humor in our day.
I, for one, am very conscious about the use of electricity and have taught my children the same. I never thought of aquarium gravel for the plants though - I like the idea.
at 15:42 on March 29th, 2008
You're welcome Rhonda, have you visited my link yet? On Eco cooking without using the stove? I guess it more about kitchen recycling, but cookery is part of it,.
http://www.jibjab.com/view/141756
at 15:20 on March 29th, 2008
Amelia-Jane has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:05 on March 29th, 2008
I played with my guinea pigs, and practised my cello during the time! Certainly a whole new experience playing the cello in the dark only with candle light!
at 16:06 on March 29th, 2008
This was taken before the lights went out from my apartment balcony in Sydney Australia
Carla W. has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:39 on March 29th, 2008
I caught a glimpse of a fireworks display going off on "the Island" (Grand Island that is). I don't know what the occasion was but I do know I would have definitely missed it if I had not participated in Earth Hour - I would have been looking at a screen (computer), not out the window:).
Not yet Barry, but I will as soon as I answer the math question: what is 2+4?
at 17:48 on March 29th, 2008
Interesting Rhonda, thanks!
at 18:06 on March 29th, 2008
Amy - you are welcome and thank you!
at 00:38 on March 30th, 2008
I was looking forward to Earth Hour because I had a great view from my bedroom window.
Sadly, it came 8.00pm, I turned off my lights... but no one else didn't. I was dissapointed.
William_Henderson has contributed a photo to this story.
at 01:55 on March 30th, 2008
Turn off your lights and sign in to Earth Hour - www.earthhour.org!
Andrius Kleiva. has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:46 on March 30th, 2008
Illuminated my room with a couple of candles and at one point, my LED-powered frisbee.
the.ben.watts has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:56 on March 30th, 2008
We turned off the lights at 8:00, and we were the only ones on our street in Ottawa. I was only having fun in the dark with a box of coloured birthday candles, but the photos turned out much better than I intended.
seamesse has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:29 on March 30th, 2008
We really enjoyed the peace and quiet. After watching a beautiful sunset we set out the candles and quietly read. Of course I also took the opportunity to take a few photos that captured the warm glow in the house. The kids on the other hand 'camped' out in their room with a lantern. They enjoyed it so much that come 9 p.m., they chose to remain in the 'dark'.
jywheeler has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:58 on March 30th, 2008
A few candles in the kids' room made bed time stories just a little more fun. It's only an hour!
Apollo 11 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 06:45 on March 30th, 2008
Of course! That's my favorite time,
and i have to see what another done.
Thank you for Now Public,please go on and on...:-)
7july has contributed a photo to this story.
at 06:59 on March 30th, 2008
Amy - my sister, who is here with me now, informed me that the fireworks display I caught a glimpse of last evening was actually being set off from either Niagara Falls, NY or Niagara Falls, Ontario, and little did I know they are set off every Friday evening. I'll be watching next week:)
at 00:57 on March 31st, 2008
You can have earth hour every week then! That's great!
at 18:03 on April 2nd, 2008
Amy - Sorry for the delay in responding - That's exactly what I was thinking:)!
at 07:00 on March 30th, 2008
LucyNuzum has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:00 on March 30th, 2008
my partner and i observed earth hour by sitting downstairs surrounded by candlelight, and played with our little pug puppy Stella.
planetbaldy has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:49 on March 30th, 2008
I told everyone on my street and then at 8:00 watched the lights go out one house after another, and I could see the flickering of candlelights, it was a unifying and sobering hour with only the sounds of the birds chirping...I think I'll repeat this often
at 15:15 on April 2nd, 2008
We participated in the Earth Hour last night. I had all the applicances turned off except the fridge and light the house with Bee Wax candle.
Real candle light dinner! But not a 3-course dinner. We spent the whole hour eating and chatting. It was really nice in fact. We haven't done it for some time. It's always a 5 minutes dinner together and either of us doing the dishes.
The whole Earth Hour in fact reminded us what happened when we first shifted into the present house. We survived on candlelight for full 3 days as the electric company stuffed up the connection. Lucky we had plenty of candles to light up the house and gas stove to boil water for shower. Not possible to shower using cold water in the mid of winter right?
At the end of Earth Hour, we only switched whats necessary and keep to the minimum. It didn't last long before the whole house went into total darkness again.
cltyw79 has contributed a photo to this story.