In 2008 Ottawa residents were able to cut usage by four percent during the one hour global event. This year the Earth Hour message was better received and we were able to cut usage by just over six percent, which is enough to power 58 homes for a month. It might not be the 15% that Toronto cut usage this year during the 60 minutes but we sure did our part. Local business jumped on board, the NAC’s Le Café and the Fairmont Château Laurier, served dinner by candlelight only. At the Westin Hotel, the chef performed an Earth Hour cooking demonstration, reportedly using a candle-powered grill. The nine Bridgehead locations across the city switched off lighting, music, dishwashers and other non-critical equipment in favour of candlelight, and acoustic music. Moksha Yoga Ottawa on Preston Street is held a special yoga class silent and lit with candles.

The skeptics, who include environmental activists, point out that it’s pretty easy to turn off non-essential lighting for 60 minutes a year, whereas making real headway combating global warming is difficult and will involve real — and likely expensive — sacrifices. Indeed, for everyone from multinational corporations to municipalities, Earth Hour seems an excellent marketing opportunity to show they care about global warming, without much pain at all.

So lets do it! Bridgehead, why not do the same thing one night a week? I would much rather sit in a bridgehead with some soft acoustic music and candlelight, (especially if I was on a date - very romantic!) and im sure others would as well. How else can we each contribute? How many of us leave our computers, or other things on at home overnight and during the day?

Toronto dropped usage by over 15%! Ottawa - six percent is a good start, but we can do better!

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http://www.MattRichling.com

Matt Richling is a sales representative with RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated - The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the RE/MAX or RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage.

Tomorrow, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

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http://www.MattRichling.com

Matt Richling is a sales representative with RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage, Independently Owned and Operated - The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the RE/MAX or RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd., Brokerage.