Earth Hour 2012 Review (Part 2)

Earth Hour 2012 Review – Was it Worthwhile?

This is Part 2 of a 2-part blog.  In Part 1 of this Earth Hour 2012 review, I looked at the global coverage and awareness, and highlighted that Earth Hour 2012 was the world’s largest mass event for the planet.

But, many people are asking, did Earth Hour 2012 make a difference?  And can individuals really make a difference?

I cited a study by M.I.T. which looked at the energy consumption of North Americans.  When the energy embodied in shared systems (such as the military, roads, etc) is added to personal consumption patterns, even a homeless man in North America uses considerably more energy than the global average.

Now I have already asked my readers to refrain from getting upset with me, because my point is probably not what you would expect.

What are the implications?

The M.I.T. study says that one of the key reasons why North American energy consumption is so high in total is government subsidies that each American receives, directly or indirectly.  For example, food and oil subsidies which control prices.

Now, a lot of people say, well, then there’s no point in living an eco friendly lifestyle because it won’t make a difference.  You have to change public policy.

But I disagree.

Certainly, the changes you and I make to our lifestyle to be more eco friendly and use less energy, are naturally not going to have a major, global impact.

By comparison, changing public policy will have a great effect.

But changing public policy is not easy.  Anywhere in the world.

So, does this mean we shouldn’t try to live an eco friendly lifestyle?

Absolutely not!

In my opinion, we should do both – try to influence public policy, AND live a green lifestyle.

Why?

Because I don’t believe we can simply palm the problem off onto others.  Plus, we can’t ask “them” to change policy unless we are making efforts ourselves.

Here are 3 things we can do:

1. By participating in Earth Hour 2012 we can show policy makers around the world that millions of people (yes, literally millions) are greatly concerned about the future of our planet.  It is mass movements like this, which can bring about change.
2. We can also influence big business by buying genuinely green and eco friendly products instead of the products of factory farming, and foods and products without chemicals.  We can vote with our wallets – and gain better health as a result.  Better for us – and there’s a bonus – big business can influence policy change.
3. And on a very local level, we can make individual changes which will make a difference – only a small difference of course, but if enough of us make those changes…….

A Specific Example

Where I live, on a tiny tropical island in the middle of nowhere, we have a surprisingly high level of water consumption per person.  Higher than the average for a developing country.

Are people here particularly wasteful of water?  I do see water being wasted, but it’s not all down to individuals.  A large percentage of water wastage comes from ailing infrastructure – ancient lead piping across the island is full of holes and there isn’t enough money to solve the problem.

As a foreigner here on a renewable Permit (for now), I can’t do much to influence government policy directly.  But it’s easy to do what I can, namely phoning the water board whenever I spot a leak so it gets fixed quickly, talking to groups about water conservation, and my individual commitment to conserving water at home and work.

And on the larger scale, I’m buying eco friendly products and food, sending a message to big business, and I promoted Earth Hour 2012 to my readers, to help to make it a massive movement which will eventually cause policy change.

The Result?

I’m not going to make a massive impact on the global water problem.

But I can make a difference locally.

As well as to the businesses I support.

And I think that’s worthwhile.

Eventually, with enough of us caring and doing what we can, we can change public policy.

Which is what Earth Hour 2012 is all about.