As in previous years, my family will be participating in Earth Hour on the 28th March at 2030-2130, and I will see if we can rope a few other around the neighbourhood into the event as well.
Now as you know, leading by example is one of my values, so imagine my dismay when I went to this years Earth Hour website and discovered that my local council has not signed up for the event.
Here is my action email for the day, which I sent off a few minutes ago.
"Dear Melton Shire Councillors,
My name is Gavin, and I am a keen advocate for the environment and strong climate change action.
Being a regular participant in Earth Hour since its inception three years ago, I was disappointed to find that Melton Shire is not listed as a participant in this years event as per the link, http://www.earthhourau.org/faq#general-04
As Earth Hour is one of the premier Climate Change events each year, wouldn’t it set a shining example to our community if the shire council participated in the event this year. Leading by example has always inspired others to follow. I believe that if the shire joins this event, many other families will be inspired to take part, thereby sending a powerful message to our leaders at the Commonwealth level. Other benefits to the shire would be energy savings, public relations value, and the council would be very visible showing its green credibility.
We all have families and want them to have a bright future, so by acting in this simple way, we can go part of the way to helping send that message of hope which is so desperately needed in these troubled times. Please consider joining the many hundreds of other councils throughout Australia by participating in Earth Hour on the 28th of March 2009.
Yours Sincerely,
Gavin"
I will let you know what I get back. If any councillor of Melton Shire are reading, please consider signing up to this years event.
Good luck! And let us know how you get on with them.
Good luck with your shire Gav,
I checked to see if the City of Bayside and our neighbour Kingston are participants and I’m pleased to report are!!!
Remember the show “Keeping up Appearances”? I’m thinking about hosting one of Mrs. Buckets, oopps, pronounced “Bouquet” candlelight suppers with finger buffet on the 28th. Got to do it for the planet!!
Cheers
Anita
I don’t see your employer on the list 🙂
I think getting corporations the size of yours is far more important than your councils (though they are important too!)
Corporations have far more impact when involved PLUS they are the nasty companies doing more damage to our world than individuals.
Daharja, thanks I will.
Anita, I love Mrs Bucket. A very funny show, but your dinner sounds devine. I think we have boardgames by candlelight organised.
Anonymous. I do believe that both are important. I will get onto my employer tomorrow. Sneaky buggers.
Gav
Good on you Gavin for taking action, I hope they listen and respond positively. I am happy my local Blue Mts Council on the list-thumbs up!
Thanks for promoting Earth Hour! Another way you can recruit people to the cause is by creating a Earth Hour group on Commit21.com. Simply create a group about one action that you will commit to do for Earth Hour and recruit your friends, family, and co-workers to get involved in that action as well. When it comes to climate change, simple actions can make huge differences and Commit21 leverages social media to influence networks of friends, family, and co-workers. Check it out at http://www.commit21.com
As you know Gav, I participate, I go to the extreme though by doing it once per week, however, this year on the actual day, it will be very difficult. Saturday the 28th is going to be a very important day for me this year and turning off the lights isn’t possible! Oh the guilt, but YAY because I do blackouts once per week, so I guess I can be let off with a reprieve? Special circumstances? I do more Earth Hour per year but not on the day?
Good luck with the Shire Gav. Spread the word.
xoxoxox
We’ll be in! Would be nice if we could gather out in the street andmeet some other neighbours!
So far, only one councillor has replied, saying that he couldn’t attend my event as he was in Adelaide on business. I clarified that ‘Earth Hour’ was not my event, but run by the WWF, and was a global event. Some people!!!
I also had a win at work, who are going to participate this year, they just hadn’t gotten around to advertising the fact.
Gav
Frankly, I was astonished to find my council listed!! Off to put us on the official list.
I’m doing it too hope you get a posative result from the council just dont hold your breath tho
Love ELLIE
I just checked, our council isn’t on the list. No big surprise here. I might have to track down their email address and plagarise some of your letter. See what kind of response I get, if any.