Cav's Place

Last year I was saying that I’d have felt better if Earth Hour would have happened a day later, because I was doing it the “hardcore” way, turning off and unplugging everything in my room, and that’d have meant missing the first 30 minutes of an important match and I’d have been able to say I really gave something up for the cause. This year it works out just like that, turning everything off meaning I’ll lose the first half of a crucial match for our national team.
I’m turning everything off because the lights in my room are off the vast majority of the time anyway, so it wouldn’t really mean anything otherwise. After all, since we’re talking about one hour per year, you should do something really special to make it count. Turning off the lights when they’re not really needed and not leaving electronics in stand-by is something we should all do every day…

And that’s the real point of this post. Sure, it might be “cool” to turn off your lights for one hour and claim you’re helping the environment, but it’s hardly relevant. A year has 8760 (or 8784) hours, so how you act during the other 8759 (or 8783) is what truly matters.
You see these suggestions everywhere, which means that, just as it is with pretty much everything when it comes to the environment, everybody who cares already knows and anybody who doesn’t, won’t. But I guess a little reminder can’t really hurt. It could perhaps annoy, but when did that ever stop me from doing anything?

Don’t leave the lights on in a room nobody’s in, or even in a room somebody is in when they’re not really needed. Also, since LED lighting is not quite powerful enough yet and very expensive either way, switch to CFLs and don’t install more than needed. In order to use them most efficiently, keep in mind that CFLs tend to need up to five minutes to reach their maximum brightness, that they don’t work well outdoors, in too hot or humid spaces or when fully enclosed, and that their lifespan is severely shortened if they are switched on and off too quickly, needing up to ten minutes to “settle” in one state or the other. Also, don’t sacrifice quality for price. The cheaper models tend to be less bright, last less and contain more mercury than the more expensive ones, and mercury is the main problem when it comes to CFLs. While true that they contain extremely small amounts of it, you should still be very careful not to break one, and know how to clean up properly in case it happens. Also, while dumping them in the landfill will release less mercury into the environment than their lower power consumption saved during their lifespan, it should still be avoided. Certain companies collect used CFLs for proper disposal, large stores are even required to do so in some places, so you should make use of those services.
Turn off the TV, radio and any other appliances when you’re no longer using them. Turning off such a device implies actually walking up to it and pressing the button, not putting it in stand-by from the remote. Even better, you should unplug such devices, therefore also avoiding any power losses which might occur even when the device is turned off. Alternatively, you could plug them into power strips which can be turned off, or perhaps “smart” ones, which turn themselves off. That way you can avoid unnecessary power use without needing to unplug everything each time. Also, when it comes to computers, you might need to leave the computer constantly on for one reason or another, but there’s no need to leave the monitor, speakers or other peripherals on while you’re not actually using them. Keep in mind that some UPSs keep charging even when they’re turned off, so those must be unplugged whenever you don’t want that to happen. The same applies to chargers and power converters of any kind, such as those for laptops or mobile phones.
Don’t use appliances which require electricity if you can do something without them. For example, hang your clothes out to dry instead of using a dryer, and definitely fight against any regulations which some cities are enacting in order to forbid people from doing so! Also, don’t use electricity for cooking or heating when other means are available. The efficiency of such devices is pretty awful, meaning that, considering how most electricity is generated today, you’d most likely be better off using more traditional methods of cooking and heating, by burning natural gas. That’s not a good thing to do, but unless you get all of your power from completely “green” sources, it’s better that way, for now. And still on this topic, keep in mind that cooling devices, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, require the most power. Keep them in the best possible condition and learn ways to use them more efficiently. I for one strongly advise against using air conditioners unless the temperatures are truly extreme, and even then you should help them in any way possible, such as making sure all windows are closed and covered in such a way as to repel as much of the heat as possible.
But perhaps the most important thing to do, if we’re to change anything, is to make your purchases speak for you. Be informed and look for the most efficient appliances and components. Also, don’t buy things that are significantly more powerful than you need. If you can’t find something that offers you the features you need without using up unreasonable amounts of electricity, complain about it, refuse to buy the “hungry” version and demand a more efficient one. If enough people would let their purchases speak for them in such a way, manufacturers would be forced to adapt and create more and more efficient products, which can only be a good thing for us all, not to mention the planet as a whole.

As for this Earth Hour, stay inside, with the lights and as many devices and appliances as possible turned off. If you go out, the city or the places you’ll go to will most likely need to provide lights, meaning you didn’t accomplish much of anything. Instead, if you stay in and enjoy the darkness and, hopefully, the silence, the experience could be very beneficial. Alternatively, for those who have partners, it would be the perfect moment to have sex, possibly under candlelight, away from distractions and without being in a hurry. Very few things, if any, could be better than that, so enjoy this Earth Hour and, if possible, make it your hour as well…