Should Disneyland Resort Reduce lighting for Earth Hour tonight?

[GothicManor]

As some of you may know tonight March 29th from 8 to 9 pm is Earth Hour for the Los Angeles area, its a way to show concern for the excessive amount of co2 we produce to generate electricity and for one hour to reduce our carbon emissions.

Although it isnt practical for the resort to shut off everything or even all or most of the lighting perhaps they can reduce the lighting levels for this one hour in some areas.....that wont pose a hazard, keep in mind there is still a little residual daylight for the first half of this hour.

What do you think?

Also if you are at home tonight and not at the park will you shut off as many lights and devices as you can for this one hour? Maybe rest and think about what you can do to help the environment or maybe read a book by candlelight? Here are two book suggestions: Living Like ED by Ed Begley and Cradle to Cradle.

[SCUBAbe]

ummm, no I will not be shutting off my lights. We never use an excess amount of lights anyway. The house is pretty dark at night and the only light on is the room we are in. At the moment we have the computers on, but no TV's, radios and no lights. We always conserve...not just on one day.

I think disneyland should run business as usually.

[Mad Madame Momba]

Oh yes! I'll be shutting down all lights and such tonite between 8 & 9. Even though my household already does it's part in conserving energy, the point of involvement must be made.

[Disneyland Daddy]

I'll try to reduce energy usage, but my thought is that all of the 'gasoline boycotts' that we saw rampant on the internet didn't change the gasoline prices....so turning my lights off for an hour won't really do anything for the environment, as I can see.

[nbodyhome]

When I'm at home, I usually only light the room I'm in anyway - I don't like to waste energy (it's too expensive).

I'd never heard of "Earth Hour" until today - I don't think that one-day events do much good, and I'm not sure I buy into the whole Al-Gore type earth thing. I have enough decisions figuring out whether to recycle some items (too many items need to be washed out, and that wastes water). I also don't drink bottled water because - #1, I'm cheap - and #2, I think that recycling uses a lot of energy too. Better to just turn the faucet on.

That said - I don't care if Disney does or doesn't reduce light levels, as long as it's not a safety issue.

[Disneyland Daddy]

Originally Posted by nbodyhome

When I'm at home, I usually only light the room I'm in anyway - I don't like to waste energy (it's too expensive).

That's pretty much how it is with us too. I can't give my son a bath in the dark......so there ya go.....we'll NEED lights.

Energy conservation is something we need to do ALWAYS...not just for an hour on one Saturday Night.....

I'm not saying it's a bad thing - this conservation effort, but really, what is it going to do???

It's like eating well and eating like a glutton. If the glutton decides they are going to eat good for a day, that's a great thing, but one day isn't going to do anything - it needs to be repetitive....a daily habit.

My opinion, of course.

[monotonehell]

So many people, companies and cities are taking art in this. Raising awareness is one thing, but how many people who take part in this will take it further? A lot of people actually think that they are doing something practical by taking part.

They are not.

The dip and subsequent rise in power use wont make any difference to the real world, other than causing energy grids the hassle of trying to balance the unexpected changes in load.
We need to make wholesale changes to the ways in which we live our lives and run our industries in order to make an actual difference.

So, by all means participate in this event, but if that's all you're going to do, don't bother.

[nbodyhome]

Originally Posted by Disneyland Daddy

It's like eating well and eating like a glutton. If the glutton decides they are going to eat good for a day, that's a great thing, but one day isn't going to do anything - it needs to be repetitive....a daily habit.

That is how I feel. I do admire Ed Begley - he believes in something, and walks the walk (I believe he even bikes to Hollywood events). I'm not seeing that sort of commitment from too many earth-first types.

And as you say - it needs to be a daily habit. Just like losing weight - so many people think that you need to go on a 800 calorie diet. But small changes add up. Same with saving energy - if everyone just turned off lights they weren't using, it would save a TON of money and energy. And it takes no effort.

[BC_DisneyGeek]

This event is definately a symbolic gesture, to some degree. If it gets some people paying attention to long-term energy saving however, it's a good thing. I don't leave unnecesscary lights on personally.

Since no one is advocating turning lights out where they're necesscary, Disneyland should not do it if would cause any sort of safety hazard. I don't think there'd be much benefit to it anyway, and an announcement over Disneyland loud speakers about energy conservation, just feels inappropriate. Are theme park guests really going to pay much attention to this sort of issue while on vacation?

Having said that, this sort of event/message would play well at Epcot or Animal Kingdom.

[Pirate Lover 68]

Originally Posted by Disneyland Daddy

I'll try to reduce energy usage, but my thought is that all of the 'gasoline boycotts' that we saw rampant on the internet didn't change the gasoline prices....so turning my lights off for an hour won't really do anything for the environment, as I can see.

That's because those don't actually change consumption at all. At least, not the ones that say don't buy gas on a specific day to send a message, it just means they will buy gas the next day. When you turn out lights, especially a wide spread effort, it actually reduces consumption for that day, and also is a VISIBLE vote of support.

Yes, it's mostly just a gesture, but it DOES also reduce the amount of energy required.

We are turning our lights out, and it reminded us to pay better attention to how there are times we can be wasteful.

[k_peek_2000]

I don't believe in global warming =/\

Plus Disneyland already has low lighting as it is, it doesn't need to be any darker.

[Mojave]

The options in this poll are a bit biased. If you're not going to participate in Earth Hour, you apparently like CO2 and hate polar bears?

I already conserve, turn off lights, walk and bike a lot, so why should I take part? For those who don't conserve, etc., the hour will come and go. This is another of those media events designed to make some people feel good about themselves.

Get a few billion people to do this 24 hours a day, then you've got something.

[Seawolf]

Originally Posted by Mojave

The options in this poll are a bit biased. If you're not going to participate in Earth Hour, you apparently like CO2 and hate polar bears?

I already conserve, turn off lights, walk and bike a lot, so why should I take part? For those who don't conserve, etc., the hour will come and go. This is another of those media events designed to make some people feel good about themselves.

Get a few billion people to do this 24 hours a day, then you've got something.

Couldn't agree more. I also do not believe in global warming but that doesn't mean we shouldn't conserve and try to protect the environment in our own homes. Disneyland is a Theme Park, asking them to lower the lighting for people who paid 90 dollars to get in is outrageous.

[zugzug15]

I just replaced every light bulb in my house to fluorescents yesterday! each bulb is 13-15 watts compared to the old bulbs of 60-75 watts!

hows that for conservation!

[Schuyler]

I agree that Earth Hour is more symbolic than anything, but why not participate? As Pirate Lover said,

When you turn out lights, especially a wide spread effort, it actually reduces consumption for that day, and also is a VISIBLE vote of support.

There is so much talk about revamping Tomorrowland, Disney should work towards making that section at least more environmentally friendly and reflective of our future. Autopia, a Hybrid / Alternate fuel experience sponsored by....?