Earth Hour and the Anti-Industrial Revolution

On Saturday, we are all being exhorted to use our light switches as a vote for mother earth...at least that's what I got in an e-mail at work earlier this week.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

To me, standing up and taking control over the future of our planet involves actively engaging our intellects, and adapting to whatever cycles the planet goes through. The planet has been warming and cooling since it first formed. It will continue to warm and cool even after everyone alive today have long turned to dust.

Earth hour is a symbolic exercise where those so inclined can expiate their Gaia-guilt in a party atmosphere, safe in the knowledge that an industrialized, carbon dependent safety net is there to save them in the event of a catastrophe...like the inevitable house fires caused by people using candles when they are used to having electric lights.