Another massive chunk of Antarctic ice broke off this week, the latest evidence of the global warming crisis confronting us all. As the pernicious influence and power of the “denial industry” melts away along with Greenland, the polar caps and the world’s glaciers, a whole range of popular initiatives and campaigns are coming forward to take action against climate change.

One of the most talked about of these efforts is Earth Hour, taking place globally this Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m. local time. The idea is simple: people all around the world will turn their lights off for one hour to save electricity.

“What makes Earth Hour an unique event is that it brings together governments, business, and householders who all play a part in switching off the lights,” says the event’s executive director, Andy Ridley.

Organizers estimate that more than 30 million people will participate. The Facebook event page has over 780,000 confirmed attendees. The creator of this page, Liz Van Gerven of Toronto, decided to help publicize the global event after hearing about the success of last year’s Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia. She says she has been happy with the response to her initiative, and that she is “stunned that it’s reached so many people.” Oddly enough, considering the nature of the “event” – you can take part no matter where you are – there are also over half a million people who replied on Facebook that they “might show up.”

Some close observers of climate politics, however, sound a cautionary note about this widely publicized event. Ian Angus, the editor of Climate & Capitalism and someone who has written extensively on global warming, salutes the motivations of participants: “It won’t have much actual effect on global warming or conservation, but it allows people to show that they care about those issues, and no one can object to that.”

Angus, however, adds a warning, “But Earth Hour also lets huge corporations pose as concerned citizens. To the extent that it allows the real climate vandals to cloak themselves in green, Earth Hour is a diversion that promotes greenwash when what’s needed is effective green action.”

At the other end of the spectrum, writing in the National Post, Peter Foster rants against Earth Hour, and implies a warning about brownshirts masquerading behind the green slogans and demands:

“Earth Hour is symbolic of a spreading soft fascism, aided by well-meaning individuals and well-meaning and/or cynical and/or scared corporations. Indeed, what is truly astonishing, and disturbing, about this turn-out-the-lights exercise is how many businesses and corporations have signed on to it.”

At rabble.ca, inspired by all this discussion, we thought it would be interesting to share some of what our staff and volunteers do on a daily basis to contribute to a more ecologically sustainable world.

Derrick O’Keefe, rabble’s editor, thinks that environmental awareness “should make the ‘champagne socialist’ more untenable to progressives than ever, since the biggest thing wrecking the planet is corporate greed and the conspicuous consumption that goes along with and feeds it.”

That said, O’Keefe adds a self-criticism: “Being an advocate for social justice and systemic change is no excuse not to do the little things we can in our own lives. I use non-disposal grocery bags and try to remember to bring my coffee mug with me âe” but there’s certainly more I could do to reduce my ecological footprint.”

Other rabble staff and volunteers are more conscientious, and some show real creativity in lightening their load on the planet. By sharing ours, we hope to help in spreading ideas and practical measures for well-meaning individuals interested in working on the great collective project of saving the environment. Here, then, we present rabble’s “Earth Ours.”

Another good reason to support online media

Mai Nguyen, rabble news intern and journalism student: “Did you ever wonder how many trees get chopped down to produce those stacks of newspapers? At Ryerson’s journalism program, you’re programmed to incessantly read the news like there’s no tomorrow. You’re a naked student walking if you’re not holding the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and three campus papers in your arm âe” every single day. During my first year, my clothes drawer became a newspaper bin. I was drowning in old newspapers and even when I recycled them, nothing changed; carbon emissions still remain high.”

“With the tremendous improvements in Web news sources, I converted over to reading the news online. It’s more convenient, more up to date, cheaper and, most importantly, more sustainable. The production of newspapers also involves the distribution process, transporting the stacks back and forth from newsstands to landfills. Switching to online news has not just given me more space for my clothes, but it’s also a much more satisfying alternative when I know I’m helping out the environment.”

Getting creative with the laundry

Meagan Perry, senior producer of the rabble podcast network: “When my partner and I took the plunge and bought an 850 square foot condo we felt good about bucking the Whitehorse trend for big houses to go with big cars, and big fuel oil bills to heat those dwellings through the winter. But we’re still trying to reduce energy consumption and maintain quality of life.”

“The latest challenge? Our laundry. A large drying rack isn’t really practical for our place, but we have an old inefficient dryer and not enough cash or wherewithal to order a new one from down South. Also, I have to admit, I love to wear jeans that have been cooked to a crisp by the dryer.”

“Here’s how we stopped wasting so much energy on drying our clothes. We put up extendable shower curtain rods up near the ceiling in our hallway. We hang all the shirts there. My partner hangs her jeans there too. I stick with the dryer, which we only need to run about 20 minutes to dry the couple of pair of pants and the socks that remain after the shirts are on the rack. The clothes are out of our way, and dry fast in the arid Yukon air. I get my crisp jeans, and we don’t feel guilty on the laundry front. I’m quite proud of the system I devised, and we’re moving on to the next effort âe” getting a compost bin for our building.”

Good manners are non-toxic

Tor Sandberg, volunteer and former editorial intern: “I remember sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen in Sweden as a younger boy, listening intently to wisdoms my grandmother would share with me. ‘Always bring a little flower when someone has invited you to their home for the first time,’ she said to me once. ‘It’s a sign of respect and shows you were raised well.'”

“This little piece of etiquette has always stayed with me, and up until now I’ve always made a point to show up at birthdays and peoples’ homes with a flower. Over the years, however, I’ve become aware of how harmful the flower industry can be. Massive flower plantations in the global south are doused in toxic pesticides, polluting entire watersheds and causing toxic-related illnesses and deaths to skyrocket in plantation workers and area residents – something to think about the next time you stick your nose in a rose.”

“As a New Year’s resolution, I decided this year to buy mini-earthen pots and some seeds. Giving little sprouts of a flower, a tomato plant or whatever, is an extra special gift. It’s cheaper than buying flowers; the chemical burden is non-existent by comparison; it lasts longer (although this is dependent on the receiver of the gift); and âe” even though it’s a little more effort âe” the feeling of spurring someone’s indoor green thumb is fantastic.”

You (and your eco-politics) are what you eat

Jessica Rose, babble volunteer and former rabble intern: “My most significant contribution to environmental sustainability can be found on my dinner plate, whether taking the form of locally grown greens, tomatoes ripened by the sun in my own backyard, or through almost completely reducing my reliance on the carbon-intensive meat industry. Since spending my university days bargaining for locally grown produce at Ottawa’s Byward market, I have prided myself on contributing to a local food system, which has not only countless environmental benefits, but also economic and health benefits.”

“As I prepare to move in less than a week, I am not only packing and cleaning, but also devising a plan to create a small herb and vegetable garden along the window ledges of my new home. It may seem like a miniscule contribution to the local food system, but I am truly an optimist, believing that every bit helps. While nourishing our bodies, food can also be a tool that builds communities, combats poverty and reduces the carbon emissions that pollute our air. With the average food item travelling an estimated 2,000 kilometres to reach my plate, I am confident that a few potted plants, and some simple container gardening will be just the beginning for me.”

The little things count too!

Kim Elliott, rabble’s publisher, gives us some historical perspective, and provides a good checklist of simple things she does that almost anyone can emulate: “Growing up in the country in the 70s, can you imagine the big ‘care for the Earth’ push was not to litter? Here is a sampling of the many little things I do to live in a way that respects the Earth:”

    âe¢ Take the bus, bike or walk as much as possible

    âe¢ Buy less

    âe¢ Don’t buy bottled water

    âe¢ Carry a coffee mug

    âe¢ Don’t use plastic shopping bags

    âe¢ Eat local food (organic where possible, but buy local over organic)

    âe¢ Buy non-packaged food

    âe¢ Keep the heat down (bring a sweater to my house)

    âe¢ Use enviro friendly house products for cleaning

    âe¢ Compost

    âe¢ Recycle

    âe¢ Produce tiny amounts of what is called “trash”