Earth hour comes again to the world. In Singapore come this march 27 at 2030 hours to 2130 hours Singaporean are supposed to switch off non-essential lights and appliances. Well, I have taken a long holiday from blogging. My recent post was here. My last post was here. I have turned off my computer for over 2000 hours!

The benefits of the earth hour yearly campaign are definitely good. Firstly, it pushes awareness of the public of their small participation in saving the earth. Since it was started in 2007 in Sydney, the number of people taking part in Earth hour has increased. This is good news. In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the Third Earth Hour.

More awareness means more people will spontaneously switch off the electricity for that one hour. Global Warming is the most critical issue of our time. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, there has been an average increase in temperature by almost a degree. Earth hour gives you the opportunity to reverse the situation. Earth hour is the moment where we pledge to save Mother Earth as one united world.

What’s happening Singapore?

This Earth hour falls on weekend when most Singaporeans go for shopping to spend their time with families and loved ones. The Orchard Road shopping centres might be a little dim this coming Saturday. More than 10 shopping malls affiliated to the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) had committed to switching off their lights. You can expect many promotions from them during this hour.

This is the hub of the city area in Singapore. What about those who stay in their comfortable homes? I took the opportunity to call some individuals and gauged some of their awareness:

Global Warming is the most critical issue of our time. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, there has been an average increase in temperature by almost a degree

Mr. Parvis Ahmed a Managing Director of a company told me that he was not aware of what earth hour is. But he told me that he welcomed this noble idea for a noble cause. Mr Patrick Tan who runs a refuse disposal company also showed the same reaction. Mr Ali who is in real estate business said he was fully aware of earth hour and he will switch off all non essential lights within his home. ‘What is earth hour?’ is the common question people ask me when I enquired about earth hour to them.

This shows that for every 3 Singaporeans only 1 person knows about earth hour. How to make the other 67 percent aware of the earth hour? The ill knowledge of earth hour among Singaporeans can be tackled by frequent advertisements through television and mass media. Secondly, to teach busy Singaporeans to make that time for the unconditional care for Mother Earth!

Sun Power

Singapore’s electricity consumption is increasing steadily each year. To look for an alternative energy which is also eco friendly means to kill two birds in one stone. Such energy you can find in sun power.

the world like Singaporeans has to come together as one people in one faith to save our one earth during that one hour – earth hour.

Recently, I have met Ms Katrina a Marketing Manager of Hyland Sun power Station Pte Ltd who sells solar powered lights who shared her opinion. Solar powered lights are not only inexpensive but are not as bright as the conventional systems.

If only more funds are spent in Research and Development to make low cost solar powered electrical systems at home, engaging the sun power as an alternative source of energy is going to be a costly story.

Until then, the world like Singaporeans has to come together as one people in one faith to save our one earth during that one hour – earth hour.