Make Your Earth Hour Worthwhile

In the last few days, Earth Hour 2009 is making its mark in Jakarta telling its citizens to take action together with one billion people worldwide by switching off the lights for one hour tonight. Billboards for the even sprung up and signs are placed along major thoroughfares like Sudirman. Posters are placed in many spots, including all TransJakarta shelters – which people still notice despite the intolerable heat yesterday. Newspapers are joining the effort to build the buzz around the event, reporting various turning-off plans in the city. On the telly, WWF Indonesia, as the organizer in the country, have launched an ad featuring a number of Indonesia’s public figures asking people to participate. On personal level, I “decorated” my stuffs that I bring to campus with Earth Hour signs.

So, the response has been amazingly well. My friends have pledged to turn off at least some of the lights in their homes, some even toyed with the idea of really going dark for the hour. Earth Hour groups in Facebook are gaining lots of supporters, all kinds of them. A little adventure through the world wide web really shows how people are so excited to join the global effort.

However, many people are still somewhat clueless about what they’re going to do during the dark hour. All they know is that they’re supposed to do good by turning off the lights, but they have no idea about what they'll do for an hour.

Here’s my answer: you are free to do what you want during Earth Hour 2009. Make it work for you, your family, your friends…anyone! Of course, the unique event will trigger people to do unique stuffs, and obviously, people will upload photos and videos of themselves during Earth Hour. Additionally, these are the stuffs you can do to make your Earth Hour worthwhile:

1. Have a warm chat with your own family. Seriously, when was the last time you had a proper family conversation? A conversation that doesn’t have to involve your coming home so late or your spending too much time on Facebook or your parents’ rivalling your Facebook time. Even better, organize a family game time.

2. Take a look at the magnificent, humbling night sky. We haven’t paid enough attention to the skies lately, and it’s quite nice to just stare at the stars.

3. Do some prayers, meditate, have a yoga session, contemplate, read your Holy Book lit by a candle, or just take your mind off the things that have been clogging up your brain.

4. Try eating in the dark. You know, there are restaurants that boast itself on serving their meals in total darkness. Now, you can do the same.

5. Not feeling that wacky? Have dinner by candle light.

6. Candle-lit bath, anyone?

7. Take a stroll around your neighborhood, and see fellow Earthlings taking action for our common home planet Earth.

8. Share a romantic night with your loved ones.

9. Sleep, I mean it. You might be deprived of sleep these days, and sleeping is a very good idea.

10. Think about how you can extend the benefits of this event way beyond tonight. Rethink your daily energy usage and lower your electricity bill.