Now-a-days
it has become quite a trend to discuss about Environmental issues. Be it
technical, social, academic, and even commercial and economical, fraternity
from all the above spheres and more are coerced not only to consider the issues
of Environment, but to act towards solving those issues. Environment has now
taken the centre stage amongst the masses. And it arouses both concern and a
sense of responsibility amongst the public notion. Rightly so too, because our
Environment has never been so gravely threatened as it is now. It’s not simply
about air pollution, water pollution; Environmental issues have now crossed
International boundaries. Be it Global Warming or frequent climate disparages.
Threat to environment is now considered a threat to not only humans and animals
but a threat to Life.
Many concerned people are actively participating in
invoking steps to safeguard our Environment. People from all social strata and
all hemispheres are joining hands against saving our Earth from
destruction. Many innovative steps are
being taken to spread awareness amongst masses regarding environment. One such
step is Earth Hour.
Earth Hour’s was first celebrated on 31st
March 2007 in Sydney Australia. It was started by WWF-Australia with the aim to
spread a message amongst masses that even a small change in our day-to-day
lifestyle may bring about a lot change in the environment. Many time, people
are flabbergasted by the enormity of the issues related to environment, to some
it may even sound almost impossible to follow measures to safeguard
environment. In order to make the notion of safeguarding environment simpler,
and to reach to maximum people to contribute, Earth Hour seems to be an
effective step. And from its inception in 2007, Earth Hour has become a really
successful annual event. In 2013 only, more than 154 countries and 7002 cities
pledged to switch off as many unwanted lights. The list goes on if we actually
keep a tab. Many may ask how switching off light for only one hour can can
contribute to environment. In 2013 only, India switching off light in 54 cities
in Earth Hour saved 1000MW of electricity. To produce 1000 MW electricity, approximately 3000 ton of fuel is burnt to vaporize
5096 liters of water. This is just a gross estimate; the actual value can
actually increase. So we can guess how a small step of switching off light for
60minute can be helpful for the environment.
Earth hour doesn’t mean complete black out. It’s more a
symbolic step, which seeks to bring about awareness among the masses that even
a small step like switching off the light of a room before exiting, can
actually impact on the environment. This event’s all about the awareness
amongst people which is much required because safeguarding our environment is
not a mammoth task, all it requires is a genuine will and step by step action
towards issues in micro level. It is as much the responsibility of individuals
as it is the responsibility of big industries and corporate houses.
If you really want to contribute to safeguard the
Environment, start from your own house or office. Save energy, save water, save
papers, save trees. These small contributions do matter for our Environment.
Earth Hour represents this philosophy. Let’s turn the inspiration of an hour to
action for our every hour. Switch Off your lights and enjoy the darkness!!!
By: Debasis Ray
1st Year M.Sc.(Tech)
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