Today across the world, people will switch off their lights at 8 p.m. local time and remain in the dark for an hour. Earth Hour is meant to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate the amount of energy that can be saved if millons (and dare we say billions?) of people simply put in some effort to do so. However, organizers hope that those participating in the event don't turn their lights back on at 9 p.m. and fall back into their typical daily patterns. Instead they hope that people will make the effort to conserve energy throughout the year.

Over 50 per cent of Canadians recently polled said they have become more aware of their energy consumption because of Earth Hour and will try to save energy and incorporate some green into their everyday lives.

"It's not about this one hour, obviously," Tara Wood, a spokeswoman for the WWF, says. "This one hour isn't going to have that big of an impact on greenhouse gas emissions . . . We want people to make Earth Hour every hour."

To help people make the transition what they've learned from Earth Hour into their daily routines, the WWF is pairing with The Good Life campaign, an online community that provides tips and advice for incorporating practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a long-term basis.

Home

- If you haven't already, convert your regular light bulbs to an energy-efficient variety. Wal-Mart even sells them, making them affordable, not to mention the money you'll save on your electricity bill every month. Make sure to recycle these bulbs, as they contain mercury and tossing them in the garbage when you're done with them will more than likely result in breakage, which contaminates the earth with the harmful neurotoxin. The bulbs can be recycled at most IKEA and Home Depot locations.

- Use common sense and employ what you learned during Earth Hour by shutting off lights, the computer and the TV when you leave a room. Unplug your stereos and cellphone chargers when they aren't in use, as they still consume energy when in standby mode.

- Take shorter showers to save water and energy.

- Contact your energy provider to see if you have the option of switching to a renewable energy source, such as wind power. It often doesn't cost you much more per month and you'll more than likely end up saving on energy costs to offset the additional monthly expense.

Work/School

- TVs and cellphone chargers aren't the only devices that use energy while on standby; photocopiers and computer screens do the same, so shut them off when they aren't in use and at the end of each day.

- Adjust the thermostat accordingly so you aren't keeping the office or school too hot or cool for no good reason.

- Inform the appropriate individual (ie. the office administrator, a teacher) if there is a leaky faucet in a kitchen or bathroom.

» Calgary Herald