We in the United States are feeling the effects of climate change in big ways. This April, we set a record, of which we're not proud, for the most tornadoes in U.S. history. On May 22, a massive tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, a small town in the Midwest that claimed approximately 157 lives, the most deadly tornado to hit the U.S. in 60 years, according to the National Weather Service.
Then, there's America's Southwest. Arizona, New Mexico and Texas suffered from devastating wildfires this spring that burned more of America this year than any wildfires have in previous years. As well, I mustn't fail to mention other records set this year: historic snowfalls and rainfalls caused record flooding along the Mississippi River.
Many in our country argue that these events are unrelated to climate change. These catastrophic disasters are random and unpredictable, the climate change nay-sayers say. However, a recent editorial by Bill McKibben in the Washington Post cleverly examined the connection between the scary weather extremes I outlined above and global warming. He makes a strong case in proving how vital it is for us to put the pieces together and make such connections.
And, as if Mr. McKibben's piece weren't compelling enough, it's been brought to life. Stephen Thomson of Plomomedia.com narrated and illustrated this video based on the Washington Post editorial. If a picture says a thousand words, the video you're about to watch says a million.
While clearly sarcastic, the footage elicits feelings of concern in each of us. But hopefully the feelings evoked drive action, for collectively we can reverse climate change. Earth Hour reminds us that we can each go beyond the hour and commit ourselves to ongoing action for our planet that can, and will, make a difference.
I'm honored to write for Earth Hour, and I look forward to continual analysis of the state of affairs in the United States with respect to climate change matters and our sustainability efforts. I'll also shed a beautiful and bright light on the women in our world who are making a difference in vast and varied ways for Mother Earth in my series "Heroines for the Planet." My writing here will inspire and provide you with reasons to be hopeful, and I hope you'll visit me back here again very soon.
Lindsay E. Brown is an American eco-activist, journalist and author of Don’t Hook Up With the Dude in the Next Cube: Open Career Doors While Keeping Your Legs Crossed which comes out this Fall. Her writing has appeared in notable publications, and she pens the popular series “Heroines for the Planet” on Eco-Chick.com, where she interviews prominent female figures who are bettering our planet. Lindsay was named in Ecover's 30 Americans Under 30, in which young American leaders in environmentalism are recognized for their efforts, and she also organized and led a rally at New York's Central Park for 350.org’s Climate Change Day.
Since Earth Hour began in 2007 the real catalyst for the event, and for lasting change, have been the people whose actions have helped spread the word. This is what allowed a Sydney based event to grow to a global phenomenon in three short years. Earth Hour reached over a billion people last year, and 2010 is looking to be even bigger.It is with this knowledge of you, the people who make Earth Hour more than just an idea, but a reality, that we have launched this blog. You will still be able to find the news feed here but here you’ll find posts written by Earth Hour staff and supporters (and even possibly the occasional panda) from all over the globe.We’ll be covering what’s happening around the world, our personal Earth Hour experiences and interesting stories and also sharing inspirational content we find. The most important thing is that, like all our social media interactions, we’re just as keen to listen and highlight what you’re doing, both on the night and long term – after all, every hour is earth hour.So please, comment, send us links, join us on the social networks I’ve listed below and let’s make this year’s Earth Hour event the best yet! Talk soon,The Earth Hour Team. Social Networks:Watch and rate the 2010 Earth Hour video and subscribe to our YouTube channel;Join us on our Facebook page;Follow us on Twitter; andAdd this blog to your RSS reader.
Earth Hour 2012: 8.30pm, Saturday 31 March. This Earth Hour, go beyond the hour with a commitment to a positive action for the planet and celebrate that commitment with the people of the world by switching off your lights for Earth Hour 2012.
From its inception as a single-city initiative – Sydney, Australia - in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global symbol of hope and movement for change. Earth Hour 2010 created history as the world’s largest ever voluntary action with people, businesses and governments in 128 countries across every continent coming together to celebrate an unambiguous commitment to the one thing that unites us all – the planet.
Sign up to earthhour.org, switch off your lights for Earth Hour 2011, and share the positive actions you will sustain for earth beyond the hour.
Earth Hour 2012: 8.30pm, Saturday 31 March. This Earth Hour, go beyond the hour with a commitment to a positive action for the planet and celebrate that commitment with the people of the world by switching off your lights for Earth Hour 2012.