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At midday on Sunday July 1st 2007 One Hour No Power is asking everyone concerned about the effects of climate change to simply turn everything (non-vital) off for an hour.

That’s one hour with no cars, computers, TV’s, etc. Through your support and lobbying we would also like as many businesses as possible to join in and publicly show their commitment to tackling climate change.

One Hour No Power aims to raise awareness of our collective ability to tackle climate change through our everyday lives. This is a people powered event for everyone to help shape. It is up to you how you spend the hour. You could hold a sponsored event for your favourite environmental group, take to the roads on your bike, hug a tree (while stocks last), write your personal green action plan for the coming year or even hold a John and Yoko style love-in.

Visit www.onehournopower.com for more information about how you can join in.

Hi Shirlz. Is that over the whole country or just in your in your area? How did it get started? That would be a great thing to try here. It would have to be done in our District (council area) to start and then if it worked ok it could then extend outward. Sounds a great idea.

Robin

Hi Robin - it's EVERYWHERE - if you look at the website www.onehournopower.com it gives further information, along with a blog etc.

I found out about it via http://www.myspace.com/onehournopower

shirlz wrote:

through your support and lobbying we would also like as many businesses as possible to join in and publicly show their commitment to tackling climate change.

Love to oblige ... but on a Sunday? I've arranged a series of talks on green issues on behalf of the local Chamber of Commerce ... they've all been very well attended and received ... but I fear a Sunday will impact little on their business lives - quite simply they don't work it.

Hi, Robin -- I have seen nothing about it in the media here. Want to make a "go" of it, and see if we can't raise awareness down here? Heck, it'd be easy on a Sunday. Most days we aren't using much power (electricity) anyway, except for the fridges and deepfreeze, which I guess would be essential.

Cheers
Andrea

Hi Andrea, I think the District Council might listen if it was explained properly. I might go into Rangiora and check them out.

Robin

Actually, Sunday makes it more feasible for me. Working as a web developer, it would be hard to do my job without computers running; on a Sunday, I might be able to persuade the folks at church to turn everything off for an hour. We normally finish the service at mid-day, so it would provide a talking point without being overly disruptive - I might even persuade a few more people to walk home rather than driving.

Wulf

wulf wrote: We normally finish the service at mid-day, so it would provide a talking point without being overly disruptive - I might even persuade a few more people to walk home rather than driving.

Just make sure the tea is made beforehand and stored in flasks!

One hour isn't too bad, but the worst in a power cut is not being able to have a hot drink... It might seriously disrupt those who have a traditional Sunday dinner at midday. But I suppose whatever day of the week you choose, it's difficult for somebody. On a weekday, companies would definitely not be able to go along with it. I'll try to remember - but I can see myself forgetting and turning on the PC, only to find a message - NO POWER - TURN THE BLIMMING COMPUTER OFF!

Tea and coffee is done with flasks of boiling water, so that wouldn't be a problem. Washing up might be more of a challenge - it does use energy in the boiler, but I would probably let that one go.

Another thing I would let slip through is the work that is done after the service on copying the sermon onto various media. However, we could certainly cope with all lights off and no pre-recorded music playing (perhaps an opportunity for an acoustic performance) and it might be possible to persuade a few more people to walk rather than drive.

Anyway, it looks like we will promote this, so thanks for mentioning it, Shirlz.

Wulf