It’s almost enough to make one nostalgic for the crazy anarchistic eco-hardasses of the past — radical enviro-obsessives such as Edward Abbey or Arne Naess, who at least had guts and integrity. They would have been disgusted by an opportunistic performer such as Nelly Furtado, who observed 2008’s Earth Hour with a floodlit, electronically amplified pop concert in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square.

Defenders of environmental “awareness” exercises feel that such gestures are justified in the name of education — but it’s not some sort of exotic secret that one saves energy by turning off the lights during Earth Hour. Household light is, in fact, the most obvious form of elective energy expenditure there is — which explains why people think they are making such a profound public statement by going without it for a brief moment, notwithstanding the very low cost in foregone comfort.

Not to be overly cranky about a subject notorious for driving many of our fellow conservatives to distraction (Hi there, Peter Foster), but what exactly does Earth Hour teach us — except that so many environmental consciences can be bought off mighty cheaply? Or that David Suzuki types can create satisfying illusions of solidarity, effectiveness and concerted action by inventing contrived quasi-religious ceremonies for ourselves?

Then again, we’re not environmentalists. We’re capitalists. In fact, we’re capitalists who’ve been known to enjoy an ice cold Coke, not to mention a wholesome musical concert now and again. It’s not that we don’t recognize some rudimentary concept of environmental appropriateness in lifestyle, conduct and thinking. But we prefer to put our faith in the inter-twined march of technology and the free market rather than feel-good slogans and rituals.

Technology can serve to make us more comfortable with the same amount of energy, and at a much lower cost in negative environmental externalities. The ways in which it has done so are numerous and obvious. (See, e. g., this week’s news of the 56 miles-per-gallon Tata Nano.) Yet most people may not realize, for example, that in some places (like the U. K.), the peak level of greenhouse emissions per capita was passed almost 100 years ago. The inventors of fibreglass insulation alone created cumulative energy savings that defy calculation. Yet most of us don’t even realize that our attics are full of the stuff.

If you are really determined to learn anything from Earth Hour, there is no sense contemplating what happens to you when you turn the lights out. That’s really just navel-gazing; you’re only being asked to contemplate your own ability to keep yourself amused in the dark for a little while. Instead, you should think about the scientific advances that, throughout history, inevitably have served to bail mankind out of environmental messes of the previous generation’s making.

Once you’ve had enough of sitting in the dark, think about what it means that you can go back to that switch on the wall and put the lights back on. Electric light, now regarded as a banality, was in fact a breakthrough technology that expanded our great-grandparents’ universes radically: It transformed the productivity of businesses and workers, enabled round-the-clock transportation, made the night less terrifying in both imaginative and practical respects, and — let Canadians never forget it –allowed humans to settle the realm of short winter days without being required to basically hibernate.

To renounce that — and all that it represents –even symbolically, is to renounce ourselves.

SOURCE: NATIONAL POST

The aim is to reach one billion people, more than 1000 cities, all joining together in a global effort to create the vital conversation about the future of the planet.

The Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), held on the last Saturday of March to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. It was pioneered by WWF Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald in 2007 and achieved worldwide participation in 2008.

Even with the challenges of the global economy, leaders and people worldwide remain focused on the growing threat of climate change and place a high priority on environmentally-friendly solutions as one of the ways to overcome those challenges.

Marriott International is encouraging all its hotels around the world to take part in this event as a kick-off to the Environmental Awareness Month in April. Marriott International designated April as ‘Environmental Awareness Month’ to communicate and celebrate the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible operations, raise awareness of environmental issues, and involve associates in environmental activities.

Saeid Heidari, General Manager, Doha Marriott states:

‘This is a unique opportunity to show associates, guests, owners, franchisees and communities worldwide that Marriott has not retreated from its commitment to be an environmentally-friendly company dedicated to addressing climate change. We believe our brand preference will grow as we educate and engage these stakeholders in our environmental initiatives.’

 The Doha Marriott Hotel shows its commitment to the ‘Earth Hour’ while turning off or dimming all non-essential lightings on March 28th. In the Hotel Lobby, Executive Lounge and Restaurant Gallery candles will replace the electrical light where possible and create a very special, warm atmosphere.

Source: AME INFO

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe and in Europe, Africa and Middle East alone there are over 100 hotels participating.

“Between 8.30 and 9.30pm on Saturday, we will be hosting a KuDeTa Special: Candle Light Hour during which patrons will benefit from 50 per cent off all consumption at the bar while enjoying an unwinding, candle lit atmosphere,” said Angela Saliba, general manager of Le Méridien St Julian’s.

Additionally, hundreds more Starwood hotels around the world are coordinating supplementary awareness events, such as walk-a-thons in their local communities, public candlelight unplugged concerts and receptions for guests featuring signature green cocktails.

Starwood made history in 2006 when it launched Element Hotels, Starwood’s green trailblazer, with two properties open and five more slated to open this year. The brand will soon expand into the Europe, Africa and Middle East division with the recent signing of an Element Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Across its entire portfolio, Starwood is rolling out initiatives that aim to conserve energy and water, reduce waste and enhance indoor environmental quality for Starwood guests and associates alike.

Source: Malta Independent Online

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe and in Europe, Africa and Middle East alone there are over 100 hotels participating.
The Sheraton Kuwait & Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait went dark on Saturday March 28 for one hour where several measures were taken such as turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting, public areas and office lighting except the guest rooms as we have informed our guests that their participation in this initiative is optional through a letter which was sent to their rooms in addition to posters displayed in the hotel’s lobby.

Furthermore, the staff of Sheraton Kuwait & Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait was encouraged to participate in the Earth Hour by using candle light in the staff cafeteria in addition to their efforts by filling up an outline of candles of the number 60 which represents the Earth Hour logo in the parking area beside the staff entrance.

Another energy-saving initiative that strengthened our participation in this global event at the Sheraton Kuwait where the Area Director/General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait and the General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton switching off a big Power Generator to mark the activities celebrated in the hotel on 28th March 2009 to get into the Earth Hour spirit,” said Fahed Abushaar, the Area Director/General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait Hotel & Towers.

Additionally, hundreds more Starwood hotels around the world are coordinating supplementary awareness events such as walk-a-thons in their local communities, public candlelight unplugged concerts and receptions for guests featuring signature green cocktails.

Source: Kuwait Daily News

The annual event, which was started in Sydney in 2007, has now spread to a number of U.S. college campuses — including, as of last year, Yale.

The Yale Student Environmental Coalition, the Student Taskforce for Environmental Partnership and the Yale College Council held myriad activities to entice students out of their darkened dorm rooms. But the lights gleaming from dorm windows, Payne Whitney Gymnasium and Linsley-Chittenden Hall during this year’s Earth Hour suggested that the level of participation was only mediocre.

About 15 students gathered in the Branford common room for ice cream and a screening of “Planet Earth.” Most students said, however, that the main draw was the free dessert.

David Sydlik ’10, one of the attendees, said he planned to return to his room and work on his computer with the lights out — but admitted that, since he would have to plug it in to use it, this would negate the effects of turning off his lights.

Ezra Stiles, Morse and Calhoun colleges banded together around a makeshift campfire of candles in paper cups. The group of about 30 tossed around a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee and sang original songs about global warming composed by Laura Zax ’11 (“The world is melting, kids will have to swim to school”).

YCC member Sarah Selem ’11 said while she did not know whether Earth Hour would directly impact the problem of energy waste, it does promote awareness.

“There’s obviously an energy crisis in a world where there’s a growing population with limited resources, so we should definitely promote conservation,” she said. “Anything we can do is great.”

Bianca Rolon ’11, who was playing Uno with a group of friends at the campfire gathering held behind Morse and Stiles, said she was planning to do homework, but when she heard about the event she decided it would be a nice study break.

Trumbull College hosted an study break with S’mores in the college’s buttery during Earth Hour. Davenport and Pierson colleges organized a game of ultimate Frisbee; players sported flashing blue necklaces in order to avoid painful run-ins with one another in the courtyard.

This year’s Earth Hour was also the kick-off event to the astronomy department’s celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, being held in honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s first use of the telescope.

The Astronomy Department took advantage of the coincidence of the two events to raise public awareness about the negative impact of light pollution on astronomical observing by inviting the public to use its telescopes and take advantage of the unusually darkened sky Saturday night.

In an e-mail, astronomy professor Michael Faison said he was amazed at the degree to which light pollution is an American problem.

“Energy conservation is second nature in most other countries,” he said. “For example, if you use a public restroom in Europe, the lights are almost always on timers or at least motion sensors.”

According to its Web site, over 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries — which includes hundreds of millions of people — participated in Earth Hour 2008.

Source: Casey Blackwell - Yale Daily News

If your dream is an “old school” green job, like urban planning or conservation biology, you’re in luck. These positions are sure to multiply in coming years as environmental awareness grows. Millions of new green jobs are also expected to materialize from the $20 billion in stimulus money the president has slated for greening the economy, which includes investing in clean energy production; weatherizing homes and buildings; building and upgrading mass transit systems; and environmental cleanup. The stimulus also includes $500 million for green job training - mostly lower-skill, clean-energy jobs, such as solar-panel installers and fuel-cell engineers.

Whatever your green-career aspirations - whether you’re just starting out or midway through your career - here’s a five-step plan to get you started:

1. Pinpoint your eco-passions. What fires you up? Straw-bale homes? The plight of endangered tigers? Designing organic jeans? Fighting corporate polluters? Start with some research to match your green leanings and skills with potential careers. Join professional associations in fields that interest you and set up informational interviews with people in jobs you covet. Or check out sites like GreenCareers Guide by MonsterTRAK.com (http://green-jobs.monstertrak.com/green-careers) or Green Careers Guide from EcoGreen Ventures Inc. (http://www.greencareersguide.com/). Green Careers Journal (http://www.environmentalcareer.com/gcj.htm) is another good source for green job trends. Books to consider include “Careers in Renewable Energy: Get a Green Energy Job,” “Green Jobs: A Guide to Eco-friendly Employment” and “Careers in the Environment.”

2. Green what you’ve got. If you’re already in a career, you may find that your current skills are transferable to an eco-field. For instance, your marketing, Web site-design or fundraising skills might be of use to a nonprofit environmental group or eco-conscious company. Or instead of changing fields, you might uncover eco-opportunities in your current job, including greening your company’s office or developing new green products. Of course, if your present employer manufacturers missiles or dumps toxins into rivers, becoming the recycled-paper guru or boosting energy efficiency in the plant might not technically make your job “green.”

3. Educate yourself. If your current skills won’t land you that green dream job, additional education or training may be in order. Whether you’re heading back to school to retool - or just starting out - consider a green college. Check out the Eco League, the North American Alliance for Green Education and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Visit EnviroEducation.com for schools that offer specific eco-majors. MBA seekers should check out Aspen Institute’s Beyond Grey Pinstripes for a list of programs that incorporate green values. And don’t forget educational opportunities at community colleges (where training for many green stimulus jobs is expected to occur), as well as community organizations, such as Sustainable South Bronx, Green Corps Field School for Environmental Organizing and B’more Green in Baltimore. Professional associations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council and Solar Energy International, also offer green job training. And when it comes time to craft your resume, don’t forget about eco-volunteer experience and internships. (Check out Idealist.org for these opportunities).

4. Network and schmooze. Congratulations - you’re ready to start your job search. Because many positions are never advertised, now’s the time to start reaching out to contacts you’ve made via informational interviews, volunteering, internships and training programs. You may just get the inside scoop on the perfect job. Another avenue is to join a green networking group. Look around your community or join a national network with local chapters, like EcoTuesday for sustainable business leaders or Green Drinks, offering more casual get-togethers for green-minded individuals.

5. Search online and locally. Visit the Live Green, Live Smart Institute’s Green Job Clearing House for a list of 30 top eco-job sites. Executive search firm Bright Green Talent also lists jobs and helps match you with green employers. In addition to the Web, scout around your own back yard. Health-food stores, organic farms, green-home builders, environmental organizations, recycling centers, eco-tourism firms, and parks and recreation areas all offer green opportunities. If no local eco-businesses are hiring, consider starting your own.

Source: SIDNEY STEVENS

Mother Nature Network (mnn.com)

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Want more info? Check out MNN’s Green Jobs channel (http://www.mnn.com/business/green-jobs).

Find more of Vanessa’s advice on Mother Nature Network at http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/ask-vanessa.

Daily Mail Article - Babies aren’t eco friendly

Right now i’m not being funny right but surely flying long haul to South Africa is taking the piss a bit if your such an enviro nut? I mean as a lad from Scotland quite rightly pointed using these extreme methods to offset your long haul flights every year isn’t really gonna help the planet that much is it? I mean for f sake, fair enough if you don’t want babies….don’t have them, nobody is forcing you too!!! But don’t try to make out you are doing it to save the planet, I think she got fed up with parents, friends and family asking her when the babies are coming so she came up with this bollocks to try and shut them up!!!

Hey we here at ekohut are all for saving the planet but to stop having kids? You really have got to be nuts, over population in the world comes from the less fortune places around the globe….what are commonly known as third world countries….unless we help these countries and educate, then surely no  matter what we do to stop over population isn’t really going to make that much difference? Thats my opinion anyway. 

I personally think a few of nutters spouting on about babies not being eco friendly is doing more harm to the cause than good!!! I mean lets face the only real reason that the sudden influx in eco-friendly folk jumping the ethical band wagon has come from the dramatic rise in fuel bills…..money!!! Thats whats started everyone taking a more serious look at this problem, folk want to save money!!! Now I couldn’t give a shit what some of you al gore’s are gonna say about my opinion, but lets look at the facts here….the ethical industry has grown massively over the past 3 years, oh and guess what so have you fuel bills…..right im gonna stop myself there!!!! What i’m saying is we need to look at the real problems not babies…..cars, light bulbs, energy, awareness and we need to focus on educating about these. Banging on about babies not being friendly to the enviroment is going to put us in the same tree as the original tree huggers…..look upon as absolute nut cases!!! I’m sorry but thats what it were like for most people, green peace - nutters, animal rights people - nutters…..well not anymore people are finally listening and aren’t looking at us, you, them as eco nutters….lets not f*** this opportunity up eh!!! This really is the best opportunity we have ever had to do something to help preserve our planet!!!!

As Enviromental awareness grows, reusable bags are finding their way into more and more shopping carts these days. A basic supermarket bag does a good job of carrying all those groceries, but why not up the ante and bring along a stylish “Become” cotton bag emblazoned with graphic designs and with educational messages to boot?

Even better, they come in hundreds of original designs and hues!

These eco-friendly bags are the brainchild of KL Design Week (KLDW) president Izuldin Hani Mohd Noor and his team who wanted to have a green agenda as part of KLDW which runs from this Friday to April 4; the programme also includes conferences, forums, classes, exhibitions and even a design bazaar and street party.“We wanted to do our part for the environment. Maybe it’s jumping on the eco bandwagon but we all need to be part of it if we want things to improve. So we decided that the way to combine the two was to get design talents from all over the world to contribute their take on what needs to be done for the environment, and transfer the designs onto reusable bags. It’s for the public to ‘consume’ the messages which are also a way to urge them to say ‘No’ to plastic bags,” says Izuldin.

You will be able to view these one-of-a-kind bags which will be on display at two locations, while plans for people to purchase them are still being explored. All the tote bags will be tagged with “Become”, which stands for “Be an Eco friend like Me”. This marks the start of Izuldin’s plan to build what he calls an Enviromental Community Organisation.

“We sent out feelers to designers all around the world, and our first submission was from someone in Manila. Besides those from numerous local talents, the submissions came from as far away as Canada, Australia and China. There were over 1,000 designs but we shortlisted them to about 500,” says Izuldin, better known as Izu, the founder and director of art gallery Galleriiizu.

Among the noted designers who sent in their contributions were Chris Bosse, the celebrated German architect who designed the Beijing Olympics Watercube; Austrian Stefan Sagmeister, one of the most well known graphic designers in the world; and famed Japanese digital artist Aya Kato. Designs were also sent in by Swedish graphic designer/ illustrator/ animator Nille Svensson, South African recycle craftsman/ sculptor Heath Nash, Britain-based design trio Troika, and French animation specialists Add a Dog.

These creative and design people will be in Kuala Lumpur for various presentations and exhibitions during KLDW.

The designer bags may not be available yet, but on sale at all the KLDW venues will be a special limited-edition tote bag (in two colours) made by the KLDW design team, priced at RM29.90. In July, the bags will have additional options like a mini pepper spray, XS personal alarm and super-lightweight matching nano umbrella.

To get the green message out to the world in typical Malaysian style, the Become team will unveil a 15.5m by 9.04m version of the limited-edition bag at the KL Tower launch of KLDW. The Guinness World Records team will be on hand to verify it as the new world record for the reusable bag. The current world record – a bag measuring 6.4m by 10m – is held by India.

Come April 27, the bags will turn into “travelling bags” as they will be taken to Hong Kong for an exhibition in conjunction with a design conference. The plan is to take these bags around the world; the next stop is Bangkok, in September.

The bags, made of unbleached 100% natural cotton and with designs done in eco-ink, will be hung on installations – leafless trees with three different designs. These will be on display at the Become 1000+7 Designs World of Eco Bags Exhibition at the KL Tower (this Friday till Sunday) and at Capsquare (March 28-April 4; they will also be hung on about 100 actual trees around its food and entertainment complex off Jalan Dang Wangi, KL). So while being entertained by this colourful sight, you will be educated at the same time.

The exhibition is open to the public. For enquiries, call 012-392 2250, e-mail become@kldesignweek.com or visit www.kldesignweek.com.

Eco Media Player Revolution - The Review

Wind-up media players offer the promise of living free of mains sockets, at least some of the time. Trevor Baylis’ Revolution, the second in his Eco Media Player series, lives up to the dream by giving you 45 minutes of music playback for every minute you crank its handle. It’ll even charge five different brands of phone (Nokia included), returning approximately 3 minutes of talktime for every minute of winding.

Well hopefully you’ve watched the video above, if not, then bloody watch it then!!!

Ok have you watched it now……..great well lets move one…..this is what earth hour is:

JOIN EKOHUT AND VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, 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

Get it now…..well hopefully you can join us @ ekohut in switching off those light’s this coming saturday!!! We are trying to get it so that our website turns black bang on 8.30pm but time is running out for us, so sadly we may have to wait until next year!!!

Thanks for reading and much love

Ekohut