- Lewes Climate Concern asked everyone in Lewes District to switch off all their lights - in homes and business premises, restaurants and places of entertainment - from 7.30pm to 7.35pm on Thursday 16th October. Businesses all over Lewes happily displayed our poster, and we distributed 3,500 which were received with enthusiasm.
Lewes joined London, Sydney, Paris and many other cities in having such a ‘lights out’ moment. But switching off for 5 minutes can only be a symbolic gesture. So, why bother?
The date recalled an extreme weather event of a kind likely to become more frequent as climate change accelerates. That helps us to see why it is so important to tackle climate change.
The action reminded us that if every household in the UK switched only one light fitting to a low energy light bulb we could turn off two power stations. Switching off the lights when leaving a room would save even more on our electricity bills while cutting down on CO2 emissions. Small actions can make a real difference.
The doing it together underlined that we are all responsible for climate change and that together we can find the solutions which will ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a planet worth living on.
The darkness told us just how serious it will be for everyone if we fail to recognise our part in climate change or to change our behaviour.
The whole event made more people aware of climate change (and what they can do about it).
