Voices: Will Earth Hour make a difference?

We asked whether you think Earth Hour will make a difference. This is just another feel-good concept that will not cause people to alter their lifestyle. Much better that the organizers promote ‘a mail the excessive packaging to the manufacturer week’ or something similar. If people started buying products that used less packaging or returnable packaging then manufacturers would start to use it. That would do far more than this idea to save the planet.  William Mellor, Durham

During the darkened hour, I read an article by candlelight about the toils of those who endured weeks without power during the ice storm of ‘98 in eastern Canada. And in that article was a warning, which should also come as a lesson from Earth Hour: our society is absolutely dependent on electricity and it cannot be taken for granted.
Rempel Dave, Calgary

Earth hour is just more empty symbolism from a movement that thrives on making a lot of noise with no substance. It’s pathetic, and so are those who take part in it.
Dale Ketcheson, Roslin

It might raise some awareness but once it is over, things will continue as they were.
Nathan Ho, Toronto

Since the hydro system is an on demand system and not a storage system, I fail to see how one our of non use will make a difference.
Bob Murdoch, Gravenhurst

No but it’s worth the start. Live Aid, Live 8, Live Earth didn’t change much (so far), but we all felt good trying. It would be better to have an Earth Hour every month. Just to remind society there is an “off” button for all the constant connectivity we willingly plug ourselves into. Carlo Ang, Toronto

I’m just afraid it will back-fire. I’ve heard we could have a baby boom in nine months. Now that’s good for the environment. Overpopulation is the root of all the environmental problems.
Ginny Cotterill, Toronto

I just don’t get it, this earth hour to save the planet. Since the planet has been here for about four billion years, I think that it may very well be here for another 4 billion years. This is what the scientists who study this sort of thing say.

The planet is doing just fine. It’s the creatures that crawl around on its surface that are in trouble. I am so glad that I am past 50 and so regardless of all else, I should only live about another twenty five years or so.
Michael Lunney, North Bay

No not really, It will save approximately two seconds of global warming. If you want to really save cut the lights at 6 p.m. every day for a year and the savings would really be worthwhile! But fat chance of this happening anywhere.
Bob Matheson, Summerland, B.C.

Isn’t Earth Hour meant to be symbolic? A demonstration of how you could use less electricity every night not just one hour a year? However, it seems to many people think that reducing electricity usage this one hour a year is an accomplishment in itself and we all can go back to normal the rest of the year.
Kirk Trumble, London

In my opinion I don’t think Earth Hour will make a difference. For real change to occur we must change our lifestyle.
Source: Christine Grimmond, Toronto

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