This Earth Hour, It’s Okay To Be Left in The Dark

(NC)—In 2007, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses in Australia turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. A year later, more than 50 million people across 35 countries participated in what became a global sustainability movement.

This year, on Saturday March 26 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., more than 120 countries and territories are expected to participate. For some, this one hour of darkness can be too much to bear. Without their igadgets, televisions, laptops, and the Internet, they feel disconnected from their social networks and the world in general.

But for those living in developing countries, electricity is a luxury they just can’t afford.

“When the sun sets in the rural areas where we work, children who don’t have any other source of light have to stop studying and go to sleep,” says Mark Lukowski, CEO, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada. “It’s heartbreaking because these children really want to learn, but their economic situations once again hinder them from success.”

The organization works in these communities to build safe places and support children, individuals, and families so they can break the cycle of extreme poverty.

“Earth Hour lets Canadians get a glimpse into life for those in the developing world who are left in the dark on a daily basis,” says Lukowski. “It’s an eye-opener and a great way to challenge ourselves to do more to help those in need.”

Canadians can make a difference by visiting www.ccfcanada.ca to purchase gift catalogue items like oil lamp and fuel for a year for $60 or a fuel-efficient cooking stove for $65.

www.newscanada.com