Earth Hour and Q&A with Andrew Ridley, CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour / Post by Katie Billing of Polar Bears International
You should all be aware of Earth Hour, an hour dedicated to reduce electricity consumption! Worldwide, people power down and turn off their lights for one hour. It is a simple act that results in big changes. Not only does Earth Hour create awareness about climate change, but it also provides world unity. All humans share one planet, one earth, and it is up to us to preserve it. Earth Hour 2013 is Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm! Erica Wills and I had the opportunity to interview Andrew Ridley, CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour:
Q: Who are you and where are you right now?
A: My name is Andy Ridley, and I am the CEO and co-founder of Earth Hour. We are out in the subarctic on the tundra in Canada.
Q: What are you doing here?
A: I have come up to Churchill as a guest of explore.org and we get to look at polar bears and this amazing tundra.
Q: Why did you want to come here?
A: In my job, it’s really important that you remind yourself why you are doing it. Earth Hour was originally started to raise awareness about climate change. The polar bear is the canary in the coal mine for species, to show what is going to happen to our planet. Coming up here is a really good reminder of that and to see this magnificent animal and the amazing wilderness. And to know there are only 50 years left, so it’s quite poignant.
Q: Why should people do something? Why does it matter?
A: The problem around climate change is massive, but I also believe that everyone can change the world they live in, even if it is in a small way. I think with the issue of climate change, everyone has to take a part, but it is more about the momentum than anything. So the more that we take action, the more that we all participate in the solution, the better it is.
Want to know more about Earth Hour? Check out http://www.earthhour.org/
