Forgot about Earth Hour / Earth in General

After reading The Post Script and That's What She Said today, I realized I completely forgot about Earth Hour on Saturday, and as a result, didn't participte.

While I try to be earth-friendly everyday, what I've been hearing from some people (even one if my professors), is that the Earth is doomed anyway.

Over the last 50 years especially, with billions of people, millions of cars, mass production, and everyday waste, I'm well aware that we've vandalized our planet.

But it's hard for me to beleive that it can't be saved. Maybe that's not even it; maybe Earth just won't be saved. That I can believe.

No matter how much we recycle, I'm not sure the other two R's are part of the current equation.

We don't want to give up the luxuries, the conveniences, the habits that we've grown up with, even though we know what they're doing. And I'm not talking about idiotic things like leaving the water running full blast after washing your hands, like this one girl I caught in a restaurant bathroom. (I had to turn it off because she just walked out. Who does that?!)

No, no. I'm talking about things you're used to and might not even realize.


Have you ever had to take a cold shower because someone else used up the hot water? What about when you go camping and have to skip showers?

Have you ever experienced a black-out and couldn't figure out what to do to pass the time because everything you do and use is electronic?

Have you ever had to catch your own dinner or face going without it?

Do you remember the days before you could drive and had to walk everywhere?

Would you want to do stuff like that all the time? I wouldn't; I'm not going to lie - and those are only a few minor changes. And you can also be damn sure big companies like Coca-Cola and Nike wouldn't want to limit production or their use of third-world labour.

I don't want this to be all doom and gloom, but if we really want to make a difference, we have to do things differently - and that doesn't just mean buying green and turning everything off for one hour a year.


But I guess, as they say, you have to start somewhere...

How to be Green (spoof)

If you don’t know the environment is in trouble, you must be living in a cave. If you’ve seen The Day After Tomorrow and weren’t scared out of your mind, you must not be human. For those who were, you know what will happen if we don’t change our ways.

Tidal waves will take out the most popular American cities; Canada will instantly be covered in snow; the only people who will survive will be rich, powerful, celebrities. Don't give them the satisfaction!

Follow these green tips and you can hold off environmental collapse, at least until the end of your lifetime.

1. Don’t Drive...Less

Even though most major highways now have carpool lanes, you can still be environmentally- friendly when driving alone. First of all, keep your speed above 100 km/hour – the faster you drive, the faster you’ll get where you want to go, and the less gas you’ll use.

Secondly, if you're planning to buy a car, a fuel-efficient one is a smart choice. It may be less expensive and less polluting to take a bus, but let’s face it, a hybrid is just more convenient (and you don’t have to worry about sitting on someone else’s gum).

Besides, cow farts are the primary cause of methane gas pollution anyway, and that’s hardly your fault. In fact, by 2040, the government plans to harness methane gas as an alternative fuel, or at least utilize it for wind power.

2. Don’t let it Mellow

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.” This is a fool’s motto. Letting things “mellow” means that extra-dirty toilet water is being flushed into our lakes and rivers, which are becoming increasingly crappier.

As a result of this scarcity of clean water, many cities have designated water use restrictions; however, if you don’t want to risk your beautiful rosebushes to dehydration, you can still be green by watering your plants with a watering can filled with tap water instead of a hose. Your neighbours won’t even know. Plus, roses are part of the environment too.

3. Don’t Donate

We all know that newspapers, pop cans, and water bottles are recyclable. But more and more people are starting to recycle their old clothes, furniture, books, and electronics by donating them with the belief that they're creating less waste.

In reality, when you donate your old possessions, you’re just wasting gas in order to get there. Also, people who buy what you decided was too good for you will likely wash them before use, thereby wasting water as well. The landfills aren’t getting any smaller, so what’s another pair of socks or entire living room set?

4. Don’t Flick Off

Sadly, there is no way to conserve electricity. We always have something on: the television, the computer, the lights, the razor, the washing machine, the dryer, the hair straightener, the refrigerator, the microwave, the coffee-maker, the vacuum, the cell phone charger, the blow dryer, the PlayStation, the air purifier, street lamps, some vehicles, McDonald’s golden arches, highway billboards, and office building lights, photocopiers, fax machines, and of course, the logo on the outside.

There's really no avoiding it, so just take advantage of electricity while you still can.


And remember: Don’t stop buying. Just buy green.