Things to do during Earth Hour 2013

On March 23 at 8:30PM, million of people around the world will turn out the lights for Earth Hour. an event to raise awareness about to need to take action on climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.

The Earth Hour movement has grown into the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment since it first took place in Sydney in 2007 with some 2.2 million participants.  In 2012 an estimated 1.8 billion people joined the event around the world.  This year, organizers expect some 7,000 cities in 152 countries to participate.

By the way, I read somewhere that major international landmarks will also join the observance of Earth Hour.  These include Cape Town’s Table Mountain, the Statue of David in Florence, Tokyo Tower, Taipei 101, the Bird’s Nest in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the walls of Dubrovnik, Buckingham Palace in London, Times Square in New York, Niagara Falls, Toronto’s CN Tower and the Las Vegas Strip, and many more.

I have been observing Earth Hour for the last five years and some of my friends also do so. You might think that it's a little strange to sit in the dark for one hour but you don't really need to just sit there and stare in the darkness.  There are a lot of things one can do even in the dark.

For one, you and your friends can share new stories or jokes. With our dependence on technology such as text messaging, online chat, etc. that we have forgotten how fun it is to actually have a chat and tell stories.  While at it, you may want to unplug some of your electronic devices like chargers, computers, microwave ovens and airconditioners.

One of my musical friends usually do an acoustic sing-along during Earth Hour. He and his buddies bring out their guitars and jam for 60 minutes. Sometimes they even go beyond the time especially when they're having time.

photo from earthhour.org

Me, I just sit in the darkness and try to be aware of my surroundings. I listen to the chirping of the crickets, the distant barking of dogs and the usual human activity of my neighbors.  I try to shut out the noise of their televisions, their motorbikes and other stuff that contribute to what Earth Hour wants us to be aware of in the first place.

I hope this year, you join us for just one hour on Saturday. Aside from switching off your lights, you may also want to unplug other appliances like your TV, game consoles, DVD and Blu-Ray players. You will feel great after Earth Hour knowing you have contributed in a global event.

Giant Croc captured in the Philippines

The Philippines is in the news again.  A giant salt water crocodile was recently captured alive in a small municipalty in the Southern province of  Agusan del Sur.  The reptile measured at 21-foot in length and weighed a ton.  The picture below clearly shows the size of the animal.  By the way, in case you're asking, the man on that croc is the mayor of the town.

from reuters

He was interviewed on the radio this morning and I was able to catch a big chunk of it.    He said that they named the crocodile Lolong in honor of their team leader who died of a heart attack while they were pursuing the reptile.  According to the Mayor, the reptilian behemoth was first spotted along a creek dragging a carabao.  Some 50 or more members of a religious sect witnessed the event while they were crossing a bridge over the creek after their worship services.  This prompted the Mayor to seek the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in capturing the croc.

The Mayor also said that it took them three weeks to capture the beast which also destroyed a number of traps.  He also related that one night while they were surveying the known habitat of the animal, their flashlight/torch beam caught two pairs of eyes in the creek, suggesting that this giant may have a mate still lurking in the waters and marshlands.  The creek, according to the Mayor, is considered  a "crocodile highway" and traverses at least seven municipalities in the Agusan Province.

The Mayor added that the croc was estimated to be 50 years old.  The group that helped them capture it also advised them not to kill the animal because, aside from a law protecting the species, it also helps in the maintenance of the ecosystem in the area.  The community was advised not to venture in the known habitat of the reptiles after sundown since that's the time they are most active.

from reuters

Newspaper reports that some crocodile hunters are on the hunt for a bigger one in the waters of Agusan.  But we all know that there's another kind of crocodile that's more vicious, hungry and greedy than the one captured in Agusan.  The problem is, they are all over the place and we're all their prey.

Earth Hour+ 2011

On my way home this evening, I passed by the World Wildlife Foundation booth in Trinoma Mall.  a young woman approached me and asked if it's all right with me if she speak about Earth Hour.

I was surprised at first and then realized that it's already the month of March.  Earth Hour asks the whole world to switch off their lights for 60 minutes to support Mother Earth every last Saturday of March.  This year it will be on March 26.

I told the girl that I've been joining Earth Hour for two years now and I will do it again this year.  But then, there's something new with the event this year.

Earlier this month, Earth Hour Executive Director Andy Ridley announced a new dynamic online platform to mark the global launch of "Earth Hour, Beyond the Hour."

This year, Earth Hour asks people to commit to an action, big or small, that they will sustain for the future of the planet.  We can share our initiatives and plan of action on the platform at www.beyondthehour.org .

At the end of our chat, the girl asked me what I would commit for Mother Earth.  I told her that I've been doing little things already like composting  instead of throwing biodegradable materials.  I also bring my own bag when I go to the grocery.

I hope you join us on Saturday, March 26, 2011 when we once again switch off our lights for Mother Earth.