Man, do the lights!.

One and a half years after the first Earth Hour is WWF tries again and asks the people around the world to light on Saturday by a sign of climate change must be set. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon supports the action, critics believe that it is counter-productive.

 

The idea of
Earth Hour is deceptively simple and harvested at their first trial in 2007, a significant media coverage, though little success: for an hour, called the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), should the people in the world, cities and businesses should just make the light, a sign of climate change must be set. In Germany, made the "Picture" then audition for the local "
Action of light, "and thus not only won applause.

www.lichtaus.info: Symbolic Action for Climate Protection

Indeed, at least as much attention was the "
Action to light, "the WWF publikumsträchtigen Action vorhielt on symbols rather than on delivering results. For the critics of Earth Hour is nothing more than a feel-good action, in which all feel a bit more active can - instead of really doing anything. A kind of political climate for trade Drain discharge of one's own conscience. Numerous environmental groups and civic organizations by Robin Wood on Nabu to attac and "taz" asked about "light on! - But right "instead of only for one hour to remove the pears, should you prefer one of them against an energy-saving lamp exchange.

The second experiment: movement needs icons

There are two disputing parties, who actually wanted the same and looks the same again this year: On Saturday, the 28th March, if it is according to the organizers of Earth Hour is from 19:30 clock to the world the lights go out in the cities. Even the criticism made here by "Our climate savior," is identical: "It makes sense as the light is off, the climate savior, the brain on. Instead of focusing on the action to participate, each Hamburger buy an energy saving bulb and a light bulb exchange."

Applications for Earth Hour, Stand 24.3.2009, 13 clock: In the alleged eco-pioneering country Germany is hardly the action of interest. While the other characters unthinkingly put runs the debate, but also a little noticed

Hamburg is one of the few cities in Germany, by a so-far as possible implemented darkening their characters want. Worldwide, says the WWF, have so far 2398 cities in 83 countries indicated that they wanted to be there. Want to save electricity on Saturday evening 5481 organizations and 18,783 companies.

One good thing is that costs nothing, save a little bit and - as critics have of course - something neither causes nor hurt anyone: Of course, it is unlikely that very many officials and employees on Saturday evening at 19.30 clock in the office because of darkness their work will be interrupted. In that respect the Earth Hour is nothing more than a symbol, but this is something you need sometimes also argued WWF Chef Eberhard Brandes in advance: You need a global movement for climate policy to the appropriate pressure to make.

Because he is right, and movements need rituals: Because the handle is on the light switch in line. Who on earth still more than an hour to treat, replace the bulb - to handle warm temperature cools - the same clock at 20.30 against a lamp or LED energy saving lamp. Does not hurt and takes longer.