Is Earth Hour a mere publicity stunt ?

Today I read an article from The Star with much interest. It is an opinion base article sent in by Marcus from PJ.

"Earth Hour is a mere publicity stunt"

I READ with amazement and irony the efforts of WWF Malaysia to latch on to the Earth Hour event and all the celebrities, media and corporations that have come up in support.

It is amazing that people are so easily taken in by a mere publicity stunt that fails at the very essence. Turning off our lights for one hour on one designated day of the year to save our planet surely is a PR event at best.

It shames the thousands of devoted people, government bodies, scientists and environmentalists that have for years been working on finding real solutions to address this global concern. Malaysians should see past this gimmick by international NGOs and start changing their lifestyles. Surely we can be more proactive and not be fed by an agenda of international bodies.

Why don’t we implement power conservation programmes, ride public transport on certain days in a month, car pool, etc?

It is also ironic that the organiser, WWF Malaysia, up until very recently, did not even have a climate change programme to begin with when all others (even local groups and individuals) have been persistent in their pleas for Malaysians to take action.

Remember, our leaders signed the Kyoto Protocol and there has been concerted movement towards reaching solutions. Please let us all be enlightened and move away from celebrations and gimmicks.

MARCUS,
Petaling Jaya.

So anyway, this is to you Marcus of PJ. You are so damn wrong. This is not a gimmic or celebration!!!

Earth Hour is a global event whose objective is to raise awareness about this global concern. To save our planet and deal with global warming, first and foremost, we need to make sure that everyone is aware of what is happening, why we have to work together, why this matter is so important and etc.

What is the use of the thousands of devoted people, government bodies, scientists and environmentalists (who have been working for years to find real solutions to address this global concern) when no one cares nor aware to start appretiating all the hardwork?

What is the use of implementing power conservation programmes, ride public transport or even car pool when no one is aware or care about it. What is the use then? Do you think people will implement all these by means of the name 'implementation'?

The answer is NO. They need to know why they need to do it. They need to know why they should be doing it. The need to understand the consequences of not doing it. They just need to know about it and the rest will come automatically (well, if they really cares ... but that's not the point).

They just can't implement it without knowing the reason why. And so, Earth Hour is created to educate and raise awareness. Why the hell do you think Earth Hour cropped out all of a sudden few years back?

..........

So, come Saturday 8.30 p.m., if you want to turn off the lights in support of the event, please do so. Support the event and the planet. Enjoy the moment.

If you don't, it is certainly fine with everyone. Just remember the purpose of this event and that is all that matters. But do try to put a mental note to yourself to conserve energy, car pool, ride the public bus or whatever that takes to help our beloved earth out.

My motto (and it should be yours too):
A little makes all the difference. Nothing makes no difference.

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