Time to put the lights out on Christmas say activists

-15/11/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian


Time to put the lights out on Christmas say activists

-15/11/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian

Environmental activists are calling for a blackout’ this Christmas.

The calls come in the wake of the ‘I Count’ rally in Trafalgar Square, which called on the UK government to take action against climate change by introducing a new law to reduce carbon emissions year-on-year, and taking lead to keep global warming below a two degree Celsius increase.

On the Saturday night of the rally, lights around London were switched off for two hours to make a symbolic statement which is was hoped would also encourage people to change their energy consumption

Even London Mayor Ken Livingstone gave permission for the lights in City Hall to be turned out.

The organisers, Blackout London, are now extending the ‘War on Energy Abuse’. This time they are hitting the consumerism of Christmas in its most public display – Christmas lights in all shapes and forms be they on a tree, as a rope or a big neon sign outside on homes.

The calls for a Blackout come after Oxford Street Christmas lights were switched on a week earlier than in 2005.

It is hoped that on the December 4th 2006, a whole month after Blackout London took place people will be turning off for one whole day, rather than just a few hours. This includes, say campaigners, switching out lights, pulling the plug on anything sitting on standby and keeping off as many as possible, if not all, electrical appliances.

The campaign is not just aimed at homes. The organisers are asking that public buildings of all description turn off and do their part to stop global destruction (providing that permission is sought first). It is hoped too that churches may join in the campaign, by turning out their floodlights.

Nor is it just Christmas lights which are the target of the festive campaign. Blackout London are also asking the public to wear more clothes when at home, school and work, and turn down the central heating thermostat.

The campaign is a light hearted attempt at delivering a serious message. Right now climate change is the world’s largest problem say activists.

The organisers of the event are clear that people need to re think their ideas and practices even at such a time of celebration.

On their website the public are urged ‘to cut the Carbon’ and that this is a lesson which ‘we must learn soon’. They suggest that there is a window of just ten years to make significant changes.


Time to put the lights out on Christmas say activists

-15/11/06

By Jordan Tchilingirian

Environmental activists are calling for a blackout’ this Christmas.

The calls come in the wake of the ‘I Count’ rally in Trafalgar Square, which called on the UK government to take action against climate change by introducing a new law to reduce carbon emissions year-on-year, and taking lead to keep global warming below a two degree Celsius increase.

On the Saturday night of the rally, lights around London were switched off for two hours to make a symbolic statement which is was hoped would also encourage people to change their energy consumption

Even London Mayor Ken Livingstone gave permission for the lights in City Hall to be turned out.

The organisers, Blackout London, are now extending the ‘War on Energy Abuse’. This time they are hitting the consumerism of Christmas in its most public display – Christmas lights in all shapes and forms be they on a tree, as a rope or a big neon sign outside on homes.

The calls for a Blackout come after Oxford Street Christmas lights were switched on a week earlier than in 2005.

It is hoped that on the December 4th 2006, a whole month after Blackout London took place people will be turning off for one whole day, rather than just a few hours. This includes, say campaigners, switching out lights, pulling the plug on anything sitting on standby and keeping off as many as possible, if not all, electrical appliances.

The campaign is not just aimed at homes. The organisers are asking that public buildings of all description turn off and do their part to stop global destruction (providing that permission is sought first). It is hoped too that churches may join in the campaign, by turning out their floodlights.

Nor is it just Christmas lights which are the target of the festive campaign. Blackout London are also asking the public to wear more clothes when at home, school and work, and turn down the central heating thermostat.

The campaign is a light hearted attempt at delivering a serious message. Right now climate change is the world’s largest problem say activists.

The organisers of the event are clear that people need to re think their ideas and practices even at such a time of celebration.

On their website the public are urged ‘to cut the Carbon’ and that this is a lesson which ‘we must learn soon’. They suggest that there is a window of just ten years to make significant changes.