Earth Hour: Media Hype or Effective Awareness Building?

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I enjoyed my Earth Hour at home with a warm bath and some pleasant conversation with my husband. It was surprisingly relaxing to spend an evening without lights, tv or computer, but did it really make a difference?

In the long run, spending an hour in the dark once a year is unlikely to significantly reduce my carbon footprint, or impact climate change in a meaningful way. So does this mean its all just media hype?

Of course not! Earth Hour is about building awareness about climate change and how each of us can make choices that can help to reduce our impact on the planet. Its about how collectively we are powerful. Its about making us think about the things we do.

Earth Hour was a reminder for me about how much I take for granted. Lights that turn on at the flick of a switch, television, my computer, constant hot water, a hot drink in minutes, smoke free cooking (well most of the time!) . . .

For a quarter of humanity this is sheer luxury. Some 1.6 billion people live without electricity. In developing countries some 2.5 billion people are forced to rely on wood, charcoal and animal dung to meet their energy needs for cooking. Indoor air pollution resulting from the use of solid fuels claims the lives of 1.5 million people each year, more than half of them below the age of five: that is 4000 deaths a day.

Earth Hour made me think about the way my family and I consume resources as we go about our daily lives. There is a huge global disparity between the haves and the have-nots:

The 12 percent of the world’s population that lives in North America and Western Europe accounts for 60 percent of private consumption spending, while the one-third living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only 3.2 percent (The State of Consumption)

By choosing to consume less - whether it be electricity, chocolate bars or petrol - we do something to even things up. By choosing to consume less and donating even a portion of the savings we make to charities that address global poverty we are doing even more.

What did Earth Hour mean to you?

5 Ways to Make A Difference to Your Finances

These days, with prices and interest rates rising in the blink of an eye it can be a real adventure trying to make ends meet and last from one pay cheque to the next. But don't despair, this week's list is here to help inspire you to make your money go the distance. From short term quick fixes to get over a cashflow hurdle to more long term lifestyle changes to make your life easier in the future.

1. Get rid of things you don't need
If you have an unexpected bill to clear away, or some sudden unplanned expenditure is looming in your horizon you could try going through your cupboards to find goods you no longer require that you could sell. That breadmaker you used once, the exercise equipment that never made it out of the box, baby clothes . . . Just imagine how much extra space you will have once you have cleared some of this clutter.

2. Use your car only when you really need to
Try carpooling to work or to the grocery store with your neighbours. Walk your kids to school or ride a push bike. Walk to the corner store. Use public transport. Not only are you saving on petrol and wear and tear on your car, but you will be getting more exercise as well - so you won't be needing that gym membership anymore!

3. Be sparing with your electricity
Turn your lights off when you leave the room. Use eco lightbulbs (but be sure to dispose of them properly). Hang clothes outside to dry whenever you can. Turn the thermostat down a notch. Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes. Open your curtains to let the sun warm your house during the day and close them at night to keep the warmth in.

4. Pay off your credit cards and other debts as fast as you can afford
The quicker they are paid off the less interest you pay. Enough said!!

5. Make your own fun
I know that sounds like something your Grandma would say . . . but it really is true that you can have a blast without spending a fortune. Rent DVDs instead of going to the movies. Have a Pictionary Party (or Cranium - my personal favourite, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly . . .). Organise a dinner party at home instead of going out to a restaurant. Take your family to the beach or the park for a picnic.