Climate Change Concerns: Earth Hour shines light on interesting facts and details

The popularity of Earth Hour has spread from being a single event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 to, reportedly, ‘become the largest environmental action in human history.’ (Countdown to Earth Hour, from Mar. 23 issue of The London Free Press)

The goal of Earth Hour, to raise global awareness about climate change, may be embraced by over 1 billion people in more than 100 countries this year, up from 88 countries in 2008.

Participants will voluntarily make efforts to reduce energy consumption in some ways in hopes that by so doing a message will be sent to world leaders that action on climate change is needed.


In Canada, participants in Earth Hour are being informed that ‘using candles can actually increase greenhouse gas emissions’ (GHGs) because almost 75 per cent of us rely on hydroelectric and nuclear power to produce electricity, and neither source produces GHGs. (We’re told a better option is to use electric candles or LED flashlights).

Many also know by now that we can reduce energy in more significant ways. Since 45% of energy in an average Canadian home is used by heating and cooling systems, 30% by appliances, 13% by the water heater and 11% by lighting, we can lower our consumption more by turning down the heat, turning off appliances that bear a phantom load, and washing clothes in cold water than sitting in total dark.

Do leaders still need to hear the climate change message? Here in Canada, 52 per cent of adults thought so in 2009, up from 49 per cent a year earlier.

The highest support in Canada for the climate change message in 2009 came from 62 per cent of the adults In Ontario, and from 59 per cent of the adults in the four provinces of Atlantic Canada.

The level of support may not only be gaining momentum but producing encouraging results.

There has been more news in the last 3 - 4 years about solar projects in and around our city and province than ever before. Provincial and federal governments have financially supported home owners who made improvements in the energy-efficiency level of their homes. I received $6,000 in rebates after insulating the walls, basement and attic of my home and installing energy-efficient windows throughout. (My wallet thanks you all).

But more can be done in the energy conservation department.

Though 75% of Canada’s energy comes from non-GHG producing sources, 18.2% still comes from coal, a major factor in our country’s GHG emissions.

Alberta leads the way, producing 81.7% of its hydro from coal, followed by Nova Scotia and PEI (71.7%), Saskatchewan (55.8%) and Ontario(19.7%).

And some East Coast provinces still produce significant amounts of greenhouse gases by burning heavy fuel oil (includes petroleum coke) to produce hydro. The worst culprit is New Brunswick, producing 36.1% of its hydro in this manner, followed by Nova Scotia and P.E.I. (15.8% combined).

Earth Hour 2009 saw a 6% decrease in Ontario’s energy usage, but we still have a long way to go to reduce overall GHG emissions and assist in the global battle against climate change.

One hour on a Saturday night won’t change the world but ‘lights out’ or ‘grab a sweater, Dear’ is still an important message, and seemingly growing more important each year.

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