Canadian Participation in Earth Hour Sets Records and Sends a Message to Politicians

Canadians showed their support for action on climate change in record numbers by getting involved with Earth Hour. Canadians joined 134 countries and turned out their lights for WWF’s Earth Hour.

In terms of participation per capita, Canada is one of the leading Earth Hour countries in the world. This year the 420 Canadian cities, towns and municipalities that participated represents 116 more than last year or a 38 percent increase. Another 73 universities and 30 major landmarks from across the country including the CN Tower, Parliament Buildings, Niagara Falls and the Lions Gate Bridge, took part in this year’s event.

Besides participating in shutting off their lights, Canadians shared their efforts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Flikr.

Canadian participation in Earth Hour is a tangible demonstration of Canadian's support for clean energy as the most effective solution to climate change. This message is particularly important in Canada as the country is currently one of the top 10 nations contributing to global climate change. In Canada, 36 percent of the national energy mix is from non-renewable sources.

With a federal election campaign under way in Canada this is a timely message for political leaders and voters. Unlike the current leadership, Canadians understand that action on climate change must be a national priority.

The World Health Organization estimates that climate change is already causing more than 150,000 deaths a year. People can make a difference by demanding that their leaderships put forward policies that wean the country off fossil fuels and support renewable energy.

There are green energy alternatives that suit Canada's geography. For example, as a nation with the world's largest coastline, the ocean is capable of producing emission free energy. If we were able to harness 0.1% of the energy in the ocean, we could support the energy needs of 15 billion people.

Despite the lack of green leadership at the federal level, Canadian cities are taking it upon themselves to do their part. WWF's Earth Hour List highlighted the positive actions of Canadian municipalities to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal emerged as Canada's cleanest cities by going beyond the hour, (the theme for this year’s Earth Hour). These cities have the most active programs to reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.

Check out WWF's Energy Mix Map to see how your province’s use of renewable energy measures up against the rest of Canada.

Provincial leaders should heed the message of the Canadian people and work to reduce their environmental footprints. With a national election looming on the horizon, make sure you remind your federal candidates of the need for serious action to combat climate change.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Canadian Businesses Supporting Earth Hour

In Canada some leading members of the business community are rallying behind Earth Hour. These companies include Sears Canada, Citytv, OMNI Television and the Toronto Star are the national sponsors of Earth Hour. In Ontario, Bullfrog Power and Ontario Power Authority are the official sponsors.

As lead sponsors for WWF’s Earth Hour, these organizations have engaged employees and reached out to customers and suppliers by spreading the Earth Hour message and encouraging individual action.

Sears Canada is a proud Earth Hour sponsor for the third year in row. As one of the largest retailers in Canada, Sears is significantly reducing its impact on the environment and encouraging customers, associates and suppliers to do the same. To learn more about Sears and Earth Hour click here.

Turning the lights out across the country is a huge task that would not be possible without the help of Earth Hour sponsors. They help to make the skylines go dark and spread the word about Earth Hour, most importantly they continue to reduce their own carbon footprints throughout the year.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Earth Hour for Business

Earth Hour has called on businesses and organizations to show leadership by committing to lasting action for the planet when the lights come back on. "We are calling on businesses and organisations to use the annual lights-out event as a time to make a commitment to lasting action for the planet, beyond the hour," said Andy Ridley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Earth.

Switching off the lights is only the beginning. Earth Hour is not just for one hour. It’s about making a commitment to ongoing change that reduces your impact on the environment and celebrating your commitment to the planet with the people of the world during Earth Hour.

This year, Earth Hour, has garnered support from global companies and organisations as diverse as: Nokia, PwC, The Girl Scouts, FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, Canon, Baidu, Naver, National Geographic Channel Asia, Bloomberg, Starcom, Pocoyo, Clearchannel, Credit Suisse AG, Coca Cola, IKEA, Goldman Sachs, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Hostel World and CB Richard Ellis.

Businesses are in a great position tothen take action. Businesses are contributing to the global pursuit of environmental betterment. Beyond turning off the lights of their premises between 8:30 and 9:30 on March 26, businesses are encouraging staff and customers to participate.

Most importantly, businesses are encouraging efforts that go beyond the hour by implementing practices and offering services that enable staff and customers to make ongoing changes to reduce their impact on the planet.

Many businesses are communicating Earth Hour to their staff using emails, newsletters, posters, intranet, SMS, websites, staff associations and committees. This has encouraged staff, colleagues and their families to take part in Earth Hour. Businesses are sharing their Earth Hour efforts with their other offices both nationally and globally. Some of the most responsible businesses are communicating their Earth Hour efforts with their partners, clients, suppliers and other networks.

Businesses are showing their support by including a link to the Earth Hour website, including a reference to Earth Hour in their communications (email, SMS bulletins, bills, statements, catalogues and other material). Businesses are also spreading the Earth Hour message through their facilities, stores, branches and products. Here are some of the ways businesses are committing to cutting costs while reducing their impacts on the planet all year round:

• Turning off lights after hours in offices or installing motion-sensor lighting.


• Installing energy saving lights bulbs and devices (e.g. timers on lighting).


• Turning off printers, computers, monitors, microwaves and coffee machines at the power points at the end of the day when unused for long periods.


• Switching your business’ electricity to Gold Standard Green Power.


• Providing and encouraging staff to use recycling facilities.


• Involve your staff in everyday change. Elect Earth Hour Monitors for your business,whose job it is to ensure lights are out and appliances are off standby at the end of each working day.


• When communicating with tenants, customers, other offices and staff, make sure they are aware that your involvement in Earth Hour symbolises your commitment to go beyond the hour with an action that benefits the environment.

Businesses have registered their actions and are sharing their ongoing actions for the planet with the people of the world. With the help of the business community we can expect to see the biggest Earth Hour ever.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Climate Care Day: An Environmental Event for Business

Following the success of Earth Hour, Climate Care Day is an initiative to encourage global businesses to replace all corporate travel with remote meetings. As dispersed and mobile workforces become an increasing reality for corporations, a global sustainability movement that supports both responsible and profitable business operations makes sense.

This day is intended to raise awareness of the importance of climate change - the 21st century’s number one environmental issue - and demonstrate how simple choices can make a significant difference to the environment. It recognizes the importance of the planet to both the business community and our personal well being.

Climate Care Day makes complete business sense. Global conferencing and the Internet help companies reduce significant costs, improve productivity, save time and create a better work-life balance for employees, all while cutting carbon emissions.

Climate care is now a mainstream business issue and companies have a critical role to play in reducing carbon emissions. Climate Care Day enables businesses to make a difference through easy and practical alternatives that make economic sense.

Business travel can represent more than 50 per cent of a company’s carbon footprint. Reviewing alternatives to corporate travel is one of the most effective, and easiest, ways of reducing CO2 emissions.

Visit Climate Care Day to register and then forward the email you will receive to your business contacts, friends and acquaintances to start spreading the word.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Go Beyond the Hour

Earth Hour is asking its supporters to go beyond the hour by making changes to their daily life that will positively impact the planet.

The global launch of the Earth Hour 2011 campaign took place on March 2nd in Singapore. This landmark event will unveiled the first in a series of environmental actions that will continue to roll out throughout the year. Earth Hour supporters around the world, from teenagers in Swaziland, to governments and corporations across the planet will be adding their voice.

There are a number of actions that you and your organisation can do to go beyond turning off your lights at 8.30pm on Saturday 26th March 2011. Here are five simple steps to help you on your way:

1. Get your neighbours involved.

2. Take it beyond the hour and tell us about the action your organisationis taking this year for Earth Hour. Then share your action with your social media audiences.

3. Encourage your colleagues to take actions, big or small, everyday, they'll quickly add up to one huge action that everyone can be proud of.

4. Add the Beyond the Hour widget or banner to your website and help us collect more actions for the planet.

5. Demonstrate the Earth Hour vision of real solutions for sustainable living at every level, every hour.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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10 Best Earth Hour Online Resources and Links

Go to the Earth Hour site and pledge your support for Earth Hour 2011. If you live in the US click here. If you live outside the US, click here.

There are a number of resources that review Earth Hour events taking place around the world and guides help everyone participate:

events map
Guide

Earth Hour is active on social media sites including :

Facebook
Twitter feed
Linkedin
My Space

Earth Hour is collecting photos and videos from all over the world.

You can also download WWF's free Blackberry Earth Hour app where you can watch in real time as the world celebrates Earth Hour.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Earth Hour 2011 Official Video

This Earth Hour 2011: 8.30pm, Saturday 26 March, celebrate your action for the planet with the people of world. See some of the actions that took place last year and join the world in turning off your lights this year to show your support for clean energy.

Video: Earth Hour 2011

This Earth Hour 2011: 8.30pm, Saturday 26 March, celebrate your action for the planet with the people of world, and add more to your Earth Hour. 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.

Democrats' Chances in the 2010 Midterms

As voting day approaches for this year's midterm elections, Democrats are trending in the right direction. However, the momentum leading up to the midterms favors the Republicans who are fueled by rabid hatred of Democratic policies if not Obama himself.

The conventional wisdom suggests that the Republicans will fare well because they have an energized base of support. However, according to new surveys, the black vote may break with tradition and turnout in greater numbers for midterm elections. Surveys found that 80 percent of black Democrats are as interested, or more interested, in the midterm elections as they were in the 2008 presidential election.

Also, 62 percent of all black Democrats polled said they are likely to encourage others to support certain candidates, compared with 47 percent of white Democrats and 57 percent of all Republicans.

A month ago, a Washington Post/ABC News poll indicated that Republicans had an enormous 53% to 40% lead among likely voters. A month later, polls showed the Republican advantage slipping, and the Washington Post/ABC News poll in early October offers similar evidence. On the generic ballot, a month ago, the GOP lead was 13 points, (53 percent to 40 percent). More recent polls indicate that the Republican advantage has shrunk to six points, (49 percent to 43 percent).

An October 17th NPR article reports that polls are showing the GOP's advantage in many key Congressional races is indeed narrowing. President Obama’s approval rating has also improved to 50 percent, and support for the president’s handling of the economy is up four points to 45 percent.

Republicans may have peaked in late August and early September and the Democrat's fortunes are improving as we enter the final stretch.

Midterm elections are rarely harbingers of presidential elections. Remember the success that Republican's had in the midterms in 1994 and subsequent Clinton victory in 1996. However, the six point spread may yet prove devastating to Democrats particularly when you consider that at this point in 1994, the GOP had a two point lead and they went on to make significant gains.

Perhaps Americans will wake up to the fact that this midterm election is not about checks and balances, or even venting frustrations, it is about a choice between progress and two long years of legislative stagnation.

People are voting Democrat so that the US can be competive with the rest of the world, others are voting Democrat to protect the planet for future generations, still others are voting Democrat to keep the wolves out of Washington.

Next: Election 2010 Midterm Predictions


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