01 April, 2012

Earth Hour

While we are on the subject of foolishness (see previous post), yesterday the world 'celebrated' Earth Hour. This is where lights are turned off for an hour to highlight global warming. As you can imagine this has been invented by those preachy types who know what is best for you. In this case it is the World Wildlife Fund, or WWF.

It is estimated that this event results in the equivalent of 6 cars being taken off the road, out of the billions in existence. Indeed some estimates show that a reduction in energy usage, followed by a surge when the lights go back on again, will in fact use more fuel. And of course if you use candles, which are made of paraffin, you will be increasing the amount of fossil fuel usage. In addition there is the risk to life and limb, as experienced by the Environment Minister of British Columbia last year, when he set his cat on fire.

It is so obvious that it sometimes just isn't mentioned: most of us don't want to be told what we should be celebrating or regretting on a particular day. We can think for ourselves.

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