Well Earth Hour is over and there has been no shortage of opinions on the effectiveness of the event in various media sources. The point was awareness and stemming from that, hopefully, an understanding of ways individuals and groups can make a difference. In the Excalibur it was stated that York would not participate in the event, citing security concerns. These concerns are legitimate, but perhaps the University could look more deeply into unnecessary lighting on campus and dimming the lighting in certain areas. Other, Ontario universities participated to varying degrees. In light of the recent carbon offsetting inititative at York, which has involved administrative recognition of the need for university practices to reduce their ecological footprint, it is not unrealistic to think the university could explore options to reduce its energy consumption. In the Toronto Star on Saturday, there was a feature page on what HBC has been doing to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to participating in Earth Hour, the company has made extensive strides into other environmentally sustainable intiatives. They are continuing to retrofit stores and distribution centres with T8 lighting (highly efficient) and Building Automation Systems (BAS). BAS are store level central tracking systems that monitor daily consumption and minimize energy use by controlling lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation. Through these and other initiatives, HBC has reduced its emission intensity by 20.5%, which is an emission reduction of 146,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Before thinking that this might be corporate greenwashing, HBC's efforts have been commended by National Resources Canada and BC Hydro, which has designated HBC as one of only nine companies to be a Power Smart Certified Energy Efficiency Leader. Check out www.hbc.com/globalmind to see these intiatives and others underway at HBC to become a socially responsible corporate citizen. Some of these efforts would be worth looking into for an institution like York that desires to become practically engaged in sustainability efforts. Earth hour may be over, but its legacy should involve fundamental and practical changes that are realistic through the increased awareness brought about by these events.
earth hour
Interview on Earth Hour
Dawn was recently interviewed by the Toronto Star for her views on Earth Hour. Amidst all the naysayers' grumbling about the ineffectiveness of such a token endeavour, Dawn was able to put the event into proper perspective:
But what exactly was Earth Hour meant to accomplish? Was it intended to have a radical impact on our energy habits?
"It's obviously a symbolic event, it wasn't meant to be anything else," said Dawn Bazely, the sustainability director and a biology professor at York University. "Turning the lights off for Earth Hour shouldn't make you feel virtuous or pious.
"But, on the other hand, it has gotten everyone thinking about how much energy they use, and how they can reduce their consumption – and that's what the point was."
Bazely, who got involved in the environmental movement as a student in the '70s, isn't bothered by the commercial nature of Earth Hour. "That's just how it is in North America. It has to be hip and has to be trendy for people to want to participate."
But she urges those who may be content with cutting their power use just for an hour this evening to think bigger. "The problem with this kind of event is that it focuses on one hour, when people should be thinking about the larger picture."
Earth Hour 2008
Next Saturday, 29th March, is Earth Hour, when, at 8 pm, the Toronto Star and World Wildlife Fund Canada is asking Canadians to turn off the lights for an hour. Various events are being organized by York students (we have asked them to let us know, so that we can let YOU know on this website). My husband, has, naturally, signed up our family and I am trying to figure out how we can take this further... What do we do as a family, once the lights, the computers, the tv (maybe my fridge?) and other electrical equipment, is all unplugged? Will we walk to our local park and look at the stars, free from light pollution? Since there has been massive sign-up in Toronto, I expect it to be quite dark. What are you doing for Earth Hour?
Dawn Bazely
