In these tough times it is easy to feel like one person can’t make a difference, especially when the difference we are talking about is on a global scale. After watching a special on glacier melt the other night on PBS, I’ve been feeling particularly grim. How can we ever inspire the world to make not just small changes, but the large sacrifices that lie ahead?

Then along came a little ray of hope, Earth Hour, just a small example of a grass roots idea that has inspired people everywhere to make a statement.

I participated in this last year, but I have to say it felt a little lonely. I didn’t notice my neighbors participating, I didn’t feel or see any effect, but when I watched this movie, documenting last year’s event, I saw how my effort, which felt insignificant, truly adds up. Looking at cities like Sydney or Tokyo go dark is truly inspiring. I have to wonder, did each of those people participating feel as alone in their efforts as I did?

This year, let’s not do it alone. This Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 pm your local time, turn your lights out, get cozy with a loved one and enjoy the darkness, or get outside and enjoy the moonlight. Either way, don’t do it alone.  Tell others, spread the word. Look how quickly our efforts can add up!

After you are done you can marvel in your success and, better yet, use that feeling and that consciousness to inspire your actions every day. It seems simple, but turn the lights out when you leave a room. Shut your computer down at the end of the day. Don’t leave the TV running mindlessly when you aren’t watching it. Not only are you saving money but you are saving energy, heat, and fossil fuels. If we can cool things down, we might just be able to turn this ship around.