Editorial: Switch off and help planet

Switching the lights off when your not in a room can help our planet. Photo/Thinkstock

I like to think I'm environmentally conscious. That's not to say I couldn't do better. I drive to places I could easily walk to, I waste food. I take longer showers than I should.

It may not sound like much in the grand scheme of things, but at home I do little things which I believe help the environment.

I turn off lights when I'm not in a room, I turn electronics off rather than putting them on stand-by, I switch things off at the wall when I'm not using them, I recycle glass and plastics.

There are people out there who do more than their fair share when it comes to looking after the planet.

Millions of people around the world will this weekend be taking part in Earth Hour, an event which is designed to raise awareness about the planet.

Earth Hour is about stimulating on-going action and change for the environment. Around the world people will be taking part in the event by switching off their lights for an hour on March 29 at 8.30pm.

One of Tauranga's popular summer events will be going "off the grid" to mark Earth Hour and promote environmental sustainability.

In yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times we reported the Gourmet Food Markets would operate by candlelight and gas at Mount Maunganui's Coronation Park on Saturday. Organisers say the popular market already has an environmental focus and this will push it to the limit.

Food vendors will be cooking and serving food without electricity.

A solar-powered generator will help power the stage, which will feature artists from the Mauao Performing Arts Centre Summer Series and fire dancers and drumming.

Good on the team from the Gourmet Night Market to offer an event which promotes this sort of sustainability.

I can't imagine it being an easy feat to provide contemporary food to the masses with only gas and candlelight.

I admit I haven't taken part in Earth Hour before but this year I will make more of a conscious effort. Events like this show us everyone has their part to play in environmental sustainability. The simple act of switching off lights for an hour may not seem like it is beneficial to the environment but I was taught to believe every little bit helps.