Earth Hour 2010 - 27th March (8:30 pm)

Now who is not accustomed to unpredictable weather these days? Extreme winters and summers, unexpected showers or heat waves; catastrophes like tsunamis, earth quakes and hurricanes are now more regular in the news than before. “Global warming”, “Climatic changes”, “Monsoon delay”,…etc. are terms that have become household discussion points. Yet how many of us consciously try to do something about it? Nothing earth shattering, but something as small as switching off the non essential lights and appliances or switching of the television when you are not in the room??

Earth Hour in the year 2009 was a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund) and was supported in a big way with over 4,000 cities in 88 countries coming forward and pledging their support as a common cause towards sustainable development.

It’s that time of the year again, when we all need to stand up and take charge. Earth Hour is being observed on 27 March, 2010 between 8:30 – 9:30 pm (local time) worldwide. Earth Hour is an initiative to create global awareness on climate changes. On this day all we need to do is switch off all lights & electric appliances at 8:30 pm and show our support.

Well, me thinks, that Earth Hour is to shake everybody up from their comfort zone of ‘all is well’ when somewhere in our hearts we all know, it isn’t. We have somehow gotten used to taking things for granted. One power failure and our life gets disrupted. Maybe we should ask our ancestors who spent their lives by lighting candles & petromax lights!

My plea to all is that Earth Hour shouldn’t be an initiative that you undertake once a year!! It should be something which you will carry forward through the year. All we need to do is get conscious of the deteriorating environment and do our small bit towards sustainable development.

Few other things we can do are

# Walk whenever we can – something which is good for health also..:)
# Car pools – very much a doable thing for city dwellers
# Ride a bicycle – once a while atleast!
# Unplug appliances when not in use – for they consume power as well
# Use energy saving appliances at home and work places
# Replace bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
# Plant a sapling – and take care of it later also!

A personal effort on all these fronts coupled with an enthusiastic family to support this endeavor will be the best way to support this movement. So on a personal front educate your near & dear, encourage your kids and more than anything get conscious yourself and you are on the way to being an environmentally friendly person!!

Two man made marvels & what a sight!! ……Oresund Bridge (Øresundsbron)

With the Copenhagen summit preparations going on in full swing and every news media house piling in with snippets about the country of Denmark & its beautiful capital city Copenhagen, I would like to showcase a sight & two man made marvels – which I saw couple of months back when I was traveling from Copenhagen.

Both the marvels I saw were on my train ride from Copenhagen, Denmark to Malmo in Sweden. One of the most beautiful stretches of travel that had a refreshing touch and an everlasting imprint on my memory.

The travel time from one station to the next takes you roughly 25-30 minutes by train. Apart from the bridge, there are regular ferry services between the two cities. The bridge also has a roadway that connects the Danish capital of Copenhagen with Malmo city, and it was by bus that I made my journey coming back from Malmo.

On August 14, 1999, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark met on the bridge to mark the fact that Denmark and Sweden are linked once more – 7,000 years after the Ice Age when they were landlocked. Opened for public in the year 2000, the Oresund Bridge is a combined two track rail four lane bridge tunnel across the Oresund strait.

Denmark has a temperate climate with the average day time temperature during summers (June – August) ranging between 17 to 19 degree Celsius. However, being a coastal country Denmark can be rather wet and windy. I visited Copenhagen in September and based on my personal experience I can say that the wind made it so cool that I found my teeth clinking and clattering every now and then though the temperature was around 15 degree Celsius only!

It is this windy nature of the country that facilitates the working of huge wind mills. The city is full of them hence contributing towards the power requirement of the country in a clean renewable way. Much has been said about Global Warming. It’s a burning hot subject. And Denmark certainly looks to live upto doing its bit towards a global solution by generating power through renewable energy sources.

View to the north, including windmills, from Rundetaarn (The Round Tower)

Getting back to Oresund Bridge, what makes it more beautiful is that it crosses right over the Oresund strait. The sight of deep blue water from up above is truly stunning. Oresund also called as The Sound, is one of the three Danish Straits that connects the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean via Kattegat, Skagerrak and the North Sea, and is considered one of the busiest waterways in the world.

And as you cross over this bridge I saw a group of huge windmills which form a part of one of the most famous windmill farms in the world. There were around 50 odd windmills grouped parallel in different rows right in the middle of the sea! This larger than life picturesque view is a sight in itself and no words can truly explain the experience.

With a length of 16 kms (approx) the Oresund Bridge is the world’s longest single bridge carrying both road and railway traffic. The high bridge with its record-breaking cable-stayed span of 490m is designed to harmonize both structurally and aesthetically with the approach bridges. In the construction phase the on-site activities were completed in just 2 1/2 years due to an extensive use of prefabrication and erection of large units.

The 16 Kms Bridge is a combined bridge and tunnel and one of the largest constructions in Europe with its 8 kilometer bridge, 4 kilometers artificially made island, called Peberholm, and a 4 kilometer long tunnel. There is a toll fee that is charged for crossing the Oresund Bridge which can be paid in either Danish Kroner or Swedish Kroner or Euros.

The sight of the windmills churning away in the middle of the sea is truly a spellbinding one. One of those sights which I will cherish for a long, long time to come…

Today on the day of the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru solar mission that aims at an installed capacity of 20,000 MW by the end of 13th five year plan in 2022, I would like to share a short poetry sent to me by a concerned citizen Girija Acharya.

A message from the “Huge Hot Yellow Pot”

The Sun is a huge Yellow Pot, which is very hot;
As I walked out into the Day, I felt Hot hot hot;
And so I gave the Sun, an angry shot and continued to walk to finish my day’s plot;
“My dear child”, called out the huge Yellow Hot pot,
I wasn’t as hot as you thought;
In all the comfort that you sought,
In all the war’s that you fought;
You have maimed me and my siblings & made us rot;
You forgot all the lesson’s that my friend “Nature” has taught;
And now, you blame me for all the discomfort, that you yourself have bought;
Wake up my Child, it’s never too late to follow the lessons that my friend “Nature” has taught.

Multi talented Girija is a techie by profession with interests in painting, poetry, sports and spirituality.

That’s the theme for this year’s World Environment Day (WED) which is hosted during the week of June 5. This day actually brings me fond memories of the educational activities I planned during my stint at SunTechnics India (Bangalore). Planting sapling, sessions on climatic change and importance of energy conservation at schools, fun activities at malls…hmm. The subject had become close to my heart like never was. I have been writing about global warming, relevance of usage of renewable source of energy in the current scenario, tips for conserving energy etc in my earlier blog posts.

Watch out how the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) walks you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine with their easy tips…..Thankfully, we Indian do comply to few of the tips already ..Especially Kitchen related…but there are miles to go!

IN GENERAL:

• Plant a tree! Help achieve UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign target of planting seven billion trees – one for every person on the planet – by the end of this year! Three billion are planted. Five billion are pledged. On every continent in the world trees can be planted in June, so start your efforts on WED.
• Find needy homes or charitable organizations for things that you no longer need or want rather than throwing it away.

DAILY ROUTINE:

AT HOME…

• It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.
• Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power.
• Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree.
• Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are after all clean when you use them!
• Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages.
• Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle!
• When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution.

GETTING TO WORK:

• Don’t go anywhere without your cloth bag so you can just say no to plastic whenever you shop.
• Radical as it may seem, in today’s “the easier the better” society, the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving altogether. Power down and Instead try biking, walking, carpooling, public transport or an occasional telecommute.
• If you have no other choice than to drive to work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model for your next purchase and keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
• If you’re one of the lucky few blessed with clear stretches of road on your way to work, use cruise control, as it saves fuel and also helps you maintain a constant speed.
• If you’re among the majority of drivers who spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider turning your engine off if you will be idling for long periods of time. And plant a tree.
• For those who suffer from road rage, remember that aggressive driving lowers your mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save the planet while you’re at it, accelerate gradually– something to keep that in mind the next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count to 10 and say the planet needs me!

AT WORK:

• Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups.
• Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled.
• When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.
• If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is.
• When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!
• Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.
• Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree!
• Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.
• If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

AFTER A LONG DAY:

• In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes, you will also save money!
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage.
• When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once…
• When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment! And did we mention plant a tree!

Well, this is the first time India joined hands to this cause. But for people who are reading this blog and are not from India, let me tell you my dear friend, we observe Earth hour(s) almost on a a daily basis . There are places in India that are so remote that providing electricity is not a viable option!

All said, its ok to sit with your board games and play in candle light when you know that power will surely resume after sometime. What if you know it wont? Actually scares me!

Aamir Khan doesn’t stay behind in associating himself with social issues and causes. Aamir khan is the Indian face to the Earth Day campaign in India.

Its indeed a pleasure to see people taking seriously The Earth Hour, an annual international event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund). Yesterday I walked in into the Cochin Yacht Club and learnt that they would be joining the campaign for raising the awareness towards climate change and the need for a call to action.The hostel at  Choice School, Kochi would also be observing the Earth Hour, during 8:30 to 9:30 pm on 28th March, 2009.

Some of the corporates supporting the campaign in Kerala include Impresario Event Management India Ltd, one of the leading event management companies is also supporting the campaign by encouraging its employees to leave office premises before 8 pm and also observing the same at their respective homes. Radio Mango, Kerala No.1 FM station is also actively campaigning to raise the awareness levels.

Here are few of the other national supporters..

You can participate and make your vote count through any of the following options….

PHOTO
Take a photo on the night, upload it to flickr and add it to Earth Hour’s flickr group and tag it with your city and country.

VIDEO
Make a video of your event, upload it to YouTube and add it to our YouTube group.

BLOG
Write a live blog post during the event and tag it with earthhour or voteearth, and your location.

TWITTER
Update your Twitter on the night and write #earthhour or #voteearth and your #location in your update to tag it.

The whole initiative to reach out to billions of people across 100 cities in the world is solely to shake the world up and work together to take an action on Global warming.

Do your bit to make this event successful…. take your first step towards a better tomorrow.

The energy requirement in India is just scaling up. Renewable source of energy is a concept yet to catch up to its potential. Subjects like green and clean environment, energy conservation have been close to my heart for a decade. There is so much we can do as an individual.

It makes me happy to hear about people who have started car pooling…saves so much of fuel! It breaks my heart to see people casual about their behavior. If I don’t switch the lights off someone else in the house will do. Sure enough sir….but that’s not the point! One has to make an impression at the self level to lead to any global revolution and positive outcomes.

I read about “Green Dream” project initiated by few students across Kerala in the newspaper today. Kudos to them! Only if today’s generation gets sensitized to the idea of saving energy and environment can we think of a brighter future. Click here to know more about them.

Then there is the much talked about Earth Hour 2009. At 8:30pm on Saturday 28 March, people from all corners of the world will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – and cast their vote for action on climate change. It’s exciting to see that how a concept that started in Sydney has become a global concept. Check out their video on YouTube.

Actually, I am quite looking forward to it. It would be a unique birthday with candles not just on your cake but all around you!

Almost all of us have an innate dream to travel the world but ever thought of doing it on bicycle? Sounds bizarre? Well that’s what Philipp and Valeska Schaudy have been upto. This couple who were recently in Kochi have been on roads since the year 2006, is set to cover all continents in 5 years. They have covered in the last 2+ years Europe, SW Asia, Africa, and Australia and are going to be spending some time in India making their way up north before they cycle away to their next destination in Asia. ‘Abnormal’ is how Philipp and Valeska describe themselves on their website www.2-play-on-earth.net.

When asked about the idea behind this travel, they said “When we travel from our arm chair, we sometimes misjudge about places and its people. We draw conclusions which might not be right. The world is so beautiful and there are people just like you out there eager to welcome and share with you their bits of life. They are if not more equally warm and loving. And you get to know all this only if you travel and have a first hand experience.”

We chose bicycles for our travel because it gives us opportunity to mingle with the local crowd. It gives us the flexibility to stop at a small roadside shop to have a cup of tea and chat with the locals who we would have never been able to do had we traveled by plane/ trains, besides its emission free, added a smiling Valeska.

Working as lecturer photographer, author and guide in the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland), Philipp plans to go back and share with all, his experiences with people at large. Both Philipp and Valeska dream of spreading a message of love at all places where they leave their footprints. There is no need to be apprehensive of people of different color or who speak a different language. It’s just a matter of extending your hand and you will be surprised how many friendly hand shakes you get, signs off Philipp.

40 hrs per week, 2 hrs per day and ½ hrs per day….these are the details of scheduled power cuts in states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively. On other hand, Bangalore is facing an acute shortage of diesel. The spin to the story is that majority of the electricity in Karnataka gets generated by hydro power. The absence of sufficient rainfall is causing shortage in power at source which in turn results in unscheduled / scheduled power cuts which prompts people to use generators, which needs diesel to run. Tada!!!

Experiencing the ½ hr cut daily I used to wonder where we are headed and what could possibly save us? But after getting to know of situation in other states, I feel blessed.

US-Indo nuclear deal talks about electricity reaching every household. What they don’t say is how many houses are we talking of here? There are some 40,000 villages which haven’t been electrified till date and what happens to the current deficit? Why is renewable energy not talked about in a big way? Possibly because of the costs? Then what can be done to ease out the burden on the customer? I know of banks who give loans to buy renewable energy products at lower interest rates, but the attractiveness of the offer is questionable. In the west where people get incentivized to pump back unused power to the grid, solar panels are not even feasible in our country.

Liberated that we may be, but there is long way to go……..

In today’s times of fast cars, you might write me off as bizarre if I tell you to cycle across the globe. Well, that’s exactly what my friend here is doing. The seemingly quiet and shy Amiram is on a 1 year cycling tour across 12 countries in Africa as an awareness campaign on Global warming, climatic changes etc and inform about the available solutions to combat the same.

Amiram and his team are open to other enthusiasts joining them in this endeavor. All that is needed is that they must share the same passion for saving the environment. Check out their website for more details.

Way to go Amiram!!