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Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the WWF that asks households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. [sourced from Wikipedia]

Is Earth Hour is just a publicity stunt? I certainly do think so..we’re all a bunch of hypocrites! (myself included).

While I totally agree about the “creating an awareness” and “starting something is better than nothing” angle, but lets be honest, there are a lot of advertisers and people that are cashing in and making this look like another "Valentine’s Day" event. While it’s not wrong to be cashing in while there is an opportunity, I believe people SHOULD make Earth Hour every week or part of their every day lives that matter.

Let me give you an example: i-City MSC is collaborating with WWF Malaysia to sell official T-shirts in various locations around Klang Valley. Each T-shirt is available at RM30 per piece, and all net proceed from this sale will be donated to WWF. Question…Why does it only take an event of this magnitude to be able to draw attention or donations from the public? I’m not saying WWF Malaysia are not doing anything in terms of promoting awareness or donations which I’m sure they are, but WWF Malaysia did not even have a climate change programme before this. Why didn’t they have this before this whole Earth Hour thing started? But I suppose it could be a good thing and at least they have started something, which I hope will have continuity with a cause. Everyone should know WHY they are turning off their lights this Saturday at 8:30PM and not just because everyone else is doing it. It’s certainly more important to get that message across.

The Challenge:
My challenge (or idea rather) is to anyone, but mainly to large corporations because they have a greater impact and influential power. How about large corporate franchises such as Starbucks or McDonald’s start a "Light’s Out Thursday" (I suggested Wednesday, but someone said Wednesday was ladies night =.=) where they turn off all their lights for one whole hour every Thursday at their offices and outlets. Corporations such as Starbucks & McDonald’s are big enough companies to create an impact, just imagine the number of their combined outlets in Malaysia alone doing that at the same time…how much energy would that save…and if it’s done every week?…that’s not only creating awareness..that’s creating a statement all together. By then, if they want to have promotions/events to draw in crowds, that’s fine..because by then, that would already be doing it with a cause…think about it!

Disclaimer: The author of this article is merely speaking his mind and does not intend to make personal attacks on any mentioned organizations or companies.