Earth Hour tonight: 8-9pm

We are encouraged to turn out our lights and any other (non-essential) electrical appliances this evening from 8pm to 9pm.

I will participate. Not because it will save me any significant energy use (mine is already very low) but it is a gesture of solidarity with everyone else who has a concern about our environment. It is a gesture to raise awareness.

Reducing waste of our resources is the most immediate way to reduce carbons. It amazes me that in just a couple of generations, we have moved on from the time of the Depression and war time rationing when not a single morsel or scrap of paper or worn out pair of socks was not used, to see the waste we see now - particularly in The West in general and in North America in particular.

Renewable, responsibly located and utilized energy sources are another part of the picture, but unless our consumption reduces, we will eventually run out of these too.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

There is a fourth R .... Refuse. Refuse to buy over packaged, unnecessary, imported (when the domestic product exists) products. Refuse to waste energy, food and water.