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March 28, 2009, 8:30PM is Earth Hour
One of the great responsibilities of being a parent is nurturing your children not only physically and emotionally, but instilling in them values you feel are important. By providing them with a responsible example of the people you want them to be, you can make all the difference in their moral development, and forever impress on them your particular values.
One of the ways we can positively impact our childrens' lives is to teach them to care for the earth on a regular and consistent basis. Everyday life choices like recycling, gardening, and saving electricity will build great habits for our kids.
This Saturday, we all have a grand chance to drive the point home to really make the importance of green living obvious to them: Earth Hour.
Around the world, March 28th is a day for us all to "switch off" for an hour. Everywhere on Saturday, at 8:30 local time, people and towns will be turning off everything that uses electricity.
From the Earth Hour website:
"Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
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."
This is a fantastic opportunity to have dialogues with your children about why it's important to save electricity and what they can do, every day, to help.
In Nashville, there are several events planned to support and celebrate Earth Hour, and have a little fun in the process. A few of these are:
Garden and Play Day
When: Saturday,March 28, 9 AM to 1 PM
Where: Dr. George W. Carver Food Park
Family-friendly event with gardening, composting and playing. Suitable for all ages. Short orientation and ceremony at 10 a.m. Cost: Free, but garden tool donations suggested. Visit Earth Matters Networks for more information.
Team Green Flashlight Hike
When: Saturday, March 28, 8 PM
Location: Titan Stadium
Team Green will lead a family friendly flashlight hike. Attendees will get to watch Downtown shutting off its lights one block at a time at 8:30 and then continue the hike. For details on exact meeting place and tetative route, visit this Team Green Event.
Cost: Free
Star Party
When: Saturday, March 28, 8 to 10 PM
Where: Adventure Science Center
Members of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society will use telescopes to show attendees the amazing night sky. Best spot in Nashville to watch lights to out downtown. If weather is cloudy or rainy, the star party will be cancelled.
Cost: Free
No matter what, make sure you "switch-off" from 8:30 - 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 28.
What are your plans for that fun hour? I'd love to hear.
Earth Hour Website
Nashville Earth Hour Festivities
Earth Hour Twitter Account: EarthHrNshville
Comments
This year we'll play a board game by candle lite.
Jessica, that is a great idea! I'll bet the kiddo(s) will think that's mega cool. :-)
My kiddos are in bed by then...but maybe we adults will sit on the back porch and gaze at the stars.
Michelle, I'm jealous - Braden is usually just finishing his bath at 8:30! Otherwise, as it's our 5 Year Wedding Anni, we'd be lighting candles, ahem, to celebrate Earth Hour. ;)
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