Tonight between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm your time turn off your lights!  It is Earth Hour 2009.

The world is facing extreme weather with frequency and severity we have never seen before and today’s example is the threat Fargo’s is experiencing with the surging Red River.  Temperatures and ocean levels are rising, there are changes in the fresh water supply and the rate at which species are becoming extinct is accelerating.

Our Earth is in danger and it needs us now!  There are many things that each one of us can do on a daily basis but today we all can become united in our symbolic support for our planet by flipping off the switch.

Earth Hour is World Wildlife Fund's global initiative where individuals, businesses and governments turn off their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change.  In 2008 over 50 million people from all over the world helped raise awareness about the climate crisis.

Through Earth Hour WWF is asking people to turn off all non-essential lighting while emergency lighting, televisions and computers can stay on for the hour.  8:30 pm was picked as the start of the Earth Hour to allow a maximum number of cities around the world to be suitably dark for the lights out campaign to have a greater visual impact.

Earth Hour in itself will not lower our carbon footprint, however, it is creating a social movement which will grow into different political choices and actions and will cause business and each one of us to change our behavior.  Here are some ideas on simple things you can do to help preserve the environment.

If you are wondering what can you do while the lights are off:

• You can have a candlelit dinner and turn your Saturday night into a romantic evening.

• You can take a walk around Central Park or your neighborhood, as I plan to do.

• You can meditate.

• You can make love to your partner.

• You can read a book with your kids by candlelight or tell them stories, or allow them to create games that you as a family can play.

• You can do anything that you can think of which will raise your spirit and make you feel good.

Our planet has always been loving and nurturing towards us but sadly we have been focused on accumulating more and doing more faster at the expense of our environment.  It is time that we start acting responsibly and protect and preserve our Gaia.