Earth Hour 2009, for the first time ever Malaysia will be joining this worldwide celebrated event.

Earth Hour aims to demonstrate unprecedented solidarity and provide a visual global mandate that will put the heat on world leaders meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009 to strike a new global deal on climate change.

Earth Hour started two years back in Sydney, Australia. It is an initiative to create awareness amongst public on the issues of global warming. To date, 74 cities from 62 countries have made a pledge to switch off for the WWF’s Earth Hour. Earth Hour happens every last Saturday of March.

Earth Hour is about taking simple steps everyday that collectively reduce carbon emissions – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. 

For a better understanding and a bigger picture of global warming do watch Al Gore’s The Inconvenient Truth. Look at how bad the earth is and what are we doing to save it? Nothing?

Let’s start small everyone. Taking the first step is as easy as turning off a light.

A simple flick to switch off unused electricity such as ligths, fans and any electrical products. For this one solid hour that we are projecting this year which is the 28th March 2009, let’s switch off the the lights to reduce the carbon emissions. It’s that simple. Electricity releases a large amount of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide increases the temperature of the earth which causes global warming. It’s as simple as that. So please do not waste electricity and heating up the earth.

Let’s come together and unite as Malaysian, 28 March 2009 8.30pm till 9.30pm.

Do visit http://www.earthhour.org.my and sign up. Show that Malaysians are united.

Some facts for you.

Climate Change Q & A

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to the long-term and significant change in global weather patterns such as rainfall, temperature and wind. The climate of the Earth has changed many times in the past due to natural causes. However, huge and rapid increases of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by modern activities are threatening climate stability by raising temperatures beyond normal natural fluctuations.

 What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation from the sun and therefore trap heat to warm the Earth. This is known as the “greenhouse effect”. Without the greenhouse effect, the planet would be too cold to support life as we know it. The most common greenhouse gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.

 The increase in greenhouse gases caused by human activities lead to more heat being trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and therefore raising the global temperature. The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in 2005 far exceed the natural range over the last 650,000 years!

 What’s the difference between global warming and climate change?

Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere whereas climate change refers to the changes in climate (e.g. more severe storms, prolonged droughts, etc.) that may occur as a result this temperature increase.

 How do we know that climate change is happening?

Out of the 12 warmest years on record, 11 of them occurred between 1995 – 2006. It is likely that the last 100 years were the warmest century in the last millennium.

 Most glaciers in the Northern hemisphere are in retreat and records show that the Arctic sea-ice has thinned by about 40% in recent decades during the summer months. Sea levels have risen by 10-20cm due to expansion (water expands when warmed) and additional release of water due to the melting of Arctic ice.

 What are the impacts of climate change?

Current climate scenarios project that global temperatures could increase between 1 – 5.8°C by year 2100 and this could be accompanied by a sea level rise of 13 – 94 cm.  These changes in temperature are predicted to result in more severe storm events, droughts, heat waves and flooding in various parts of the world. Low lying coastal areas and islands will be permanently lost to rising sea waters.

Climate change is also expected to increase the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever by extending the distribution range of disease carrying organisms. The changing weather patterns could also negatively impact agricultural yield and thereby threatening global food security. The Earth’s biodiversity is not safe either as a projected 40 – 70% of species would be at risk of extinction.

Increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as cyclones, storms and flooding would not only lead to loss of lives but also high economic losses from infrastructure damage, disruption of livelihoods and displacement of communities.

 What human activities contribute to climate change?

Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas resulting from human activities and is released in huge amounts through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) for energy production. Other activities such as agriculture, industry, transport and deforestation also contribute to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Even our waste in landfills emits greenhouse gas in the form of methane.

 How much greenhouse gas does the average Malaysian emit?

According to a recent report by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), Malaysia is the 26th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. We emit 7.5 gigatonnes per capita compared to 3 gigatonnes in 1990, registering the highest growth rate among the world’s top 30 emitters. The transport and industry sectors were the main emission contributors.

What can we do about climate change?

It is widely believed that when we reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, we reduce the rate and impacts of climate change by slowing down the increase of global average temperatures. As an individual we can do our bit to address climate change by re-evaluating our lifestyle choices. The average Malaysian wastes 6 times more energy than the average Japanese.

Simple things like not wasting electricity, choosing energy efficient appliances, taking public transport and reducing and recycling waste can make a difference.

Here are ten different ways to spend Earth Hour and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions:

1. Gather family & friends for a night picnic.
2. Dine in one of the many Earth Hour participating restaurants by candlelight.
3. Organise a family night playing board games.
4. Throw an Earth Hour street party with your neighbours.
5. Arrange a house party lit by torches.
6. Take the dog for a night walk.
7. Hand write a letter to loved one by lantern.
8. Sit in the dark and share stories.
9. Read a book using a book light.
10. Share a romantic night in with your loved one.