Dave, I agree - that's why I suggested that awareness initiatives "risk" encouraging people to do the wrong thing for the right reason.

So rather than having a global event that draws attention to the problem - again - it would surely be much more productive to raise awareness of consumer actions that can have a real long term impact. As one post here points out, large TVs use more power and they do that all year round, not for one hour. So why don't consumers buy smaller TVs? Because they don't equate large TVs with higher energy usage - or they think their one TV won't make a difference.

Well, there are thousands of small individual consumber decisions that can make a difference. Maybe the message that needs to get across is that it's not what you do during Earth Hour that matters but what you do for the other 8,759 hours each year.

jldmelb wrote:

ok, let's put this simply...

Does anyone here honestly think we are doing good to our planet?

Or, are we harming our planet?

Any simple step towards doing good to our planet is a step in the right direction. Earth hour is a great initiative, and as it catches on it can only be better and better for our planet.

I, for one, hope it catches on.....

Well yes, I will agree with that, was just illustrating my frustration at the folly of some of the things done...  how many megawatt/hours have been used by people watching eco-ads on their giant tv's, Rock & Movie stars jetting in in their private 747's, telling us to not to leave the telly on standby for a few hours overnight, and then jetting off again....  am I alone in thinking this is nuts?

That aforementioned machine used more energy when I went for a tea-break than my entire street does in a day....but the government et al is too busy wittering on about offsetting carbon footprint to ensure energy efficiency in industry.

My local MP was John Prescott, and how I really appreciated "two jags" telling me to use public transport when I've seen his missus chauffered to the chemists practically opposite their Hull residence in a 4 litre v12 Jaguar.....with the engine left running whilst she was inside, of course.

Hypocrisy is the thing most guaranteed to cheese me off... 😡

To quote Canadian philospher/futurist

jldmelb wrote:

I think that deliberately trying to be a knob doesn't do anybody any favours mate.

I think it's more of a counter-reaction to all the übertrendy climate hype. A few years ago I used to do that, too, when eco-activists tried to preach me about the subject - seeing their faces when mentioning 0.4mpg powerboat and that this "GREENHOUSE EFFECT" is actually a great thing because it could extend the boating season was sometimes priceless. I haven't bothered to do that anymore, it's a lot like hearing about a religious person talking about the fear of God and casually asking if choosing an imaginary friend that scares the c**p out of you sounds like a sane person's choice. Carnegie philosophy about not ticking people off works quite a bit better, live and let live.

As I said, I agree that saving  energy is a great thing, but only because of economic reasons.

Hardwriter wrote:

Dave, I agree - that's why I suggested that awareness initiatives "risk" encouraging people to do the wrong thing for the right reason.

So rather than having a global event that draws attention to the problem - again - it would surely be much more productive to raise awareness of consumer actions that can have a real long term impact. As one post here points out, large TVs use more power and they do that all year round, not for one hour. So why don't consumers buy smaller TVs? Because they don't equate large TVs with higher energy usage - or they think their one TV won't make a difference.

Well, there are thousands of small individual consumber decisions that can make a difference. Maybe the message that needs to get across is that it's not what you do during Earth Hour that matters but what you do for the other 8,759 hours each year.

Excatly. Thank you. The big picture... THE BIG PICTURE.

This is all very very good to discuss and i'm excited to see all the response, good or bad.

Calling someone a knob isn't appropriate on this forum, no, but it demostrates at least that you give a stuff, Jonathon. I'll leave it to karma maybe... and hope karma is legit. 🙂

This issue might all be a crash course for a while to come (it certainly has been, and is so far), but, like life itself we'll come to a soloution that works - eventually. The more we discuss it and all put in the effort to do simply the best we can with what we have, the better.

Hi

I was thinking of starting a debate about whether the Earth is round, the Moon is made of rock and dust, and whether bears $hit in the woods. Judging by this thread we'd have a very lively debate as to the merits of these very tenuous and yet-to-be-proven theories. 

j0hnbarker wrote:

Judging by this thread we'd have a very lively debate as to the merits of these very tenuous and yet-to-be-proven theories.

I'm afraid a thread about any of these scientifically verifiable issues would be short lived. The background of this thread's subject, however, is as debatable as fifth century adminstrative interpretation of christian canon. Equally religious, too, as far as all scientific facts backing up the claims is concerned.

What isn't real can be very real to some people on a personal level - yet another good reason to avoid debates like this. 🙂

Henri wrote:

 yet another good reason to avoid debates like this. 

As you have done up to this point? 

Anyway, don't bears really prefer to use latrines?

Must dash as I'm going to sail my merry way off the edge of the Earth, just to thumb my nose in protest at the body of evidence that suggests I cannot do so...

See you on the other side. Adieu.

On a positive note, can I ask what long term action folk have taken to help the situation? Lets start with -

What car are you now driving (engine size etc.)? If nothing else we can preserve what's left of the earth's fossil fuels!

We can use a 5 Door Ford Fiesta ECOnetic as a benchmark

j0hnbarker wrote:

As you have done up to this point?

I've always had a secret masochistic fantasy about what it feels like to be the voice of reason in the middle of inquisition. This is just about as close I can get to experience it first-hand. 😁