Throughout this school holiday, more electricity are used because more computers are switched on and they stay powered a lot longer than usual. So on Earth Hour morning, my wife and I had periodically reminded the kids that we’d be showing our support for Earth Hour knowing that their nightly online indulgence would be interrupted but for a good cause. My wife accompanied me to the location where I had chosen—Brunei Shell Petroleum’s Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC). I figured that it would be highly symbolic and relevant to showcase the country’s largest and most significant energy and petrochemicals company’s support for Earth Hour and its commitment to environmental conservation. Joining us at OGDC were two other photographers Azri and Gavin who also showed their support for this global cause along with the larger community turnout at the official Earth Hour Brunei landmark (Hi, Maurina!)
Lights go off at Kampong Ayer | Sultanate’s participation ‘Special and Inspiring’ | Which Brunei icon will ‘shine’ on Earth Hour | In tune with Earth Hour ‘Experience’ | Earth Hour is just the first step
EARTH HOUR Official 2010 video
Earth Hour 2010 Brunei Darussalam Oil & Gas Discovery Centre
As torch bearer (yes, I was the only one who brought a torch light) I learned that in life we have to sometimes step out of the box to make a difference (it’s easier to stay home and not bother) even if it’s a very small one. The Earth Hour initiative is about the collective efforts of countless individuals across continents on planet earth and sometimes we have to do the opposite to do what’s right—politically and socially—such as writing the words “Earth Hour” backwards. Like most challenges in life, it took a few tries to get it nearly right!
Azri had me in bulb mode as I wrote the texts in reverse using my multi-coloured LED torch light.
One of a number of earlier 'writing with light' attempts captured by Gavin after power had resumed.
When we got home, we were grateful to have learnt that not only the kids turned off the computers and non-essential lights in the house, they had done so fifteen minutes earlier and had decided not to turn them back on having found non-electrically powered entertainment to pass time. It also helps to have the kids educated from an early age about wastage such as food and electricity.
