CityNerd examines 'Why Americans Live So Far Away From Everything,' a driving update

Happy Holi! Normally, I'd write an entire post about the holiday, but, like Purim, I'm just not feeling it.* Besides, I have something else in mind, a driving update. I begin with CityNerd examining Why Americans Live So Far Away From Everything.

"Super commuting": when your job is in one metropolitan area and you live in a completely different metro area. With the intensifying housing affordability crisis and the increase in hybrid work schedules, there are more long work trips than ever...but are they really "super"?

Ray "CityNerd" Delahanty has interesting things to say about super commuting, but that's not what prompted me to leave a comment on this video. Instead, I focused on something more personal.

The preview image looked eerily familiar, so I zoomed in the sign listing the exits and read "Yorba Linda Blvd. Weir Canyon Road" then CA 241. That's heading east on CA 91 just past the intersection with CA 90 in Anaheim Hills. Hey, I used to live within a mile of where that picture was taken! Appropriately for the video, I commuted to downtown LA from there.

I elaborated on this at my Dreamwidth, adding "That was about the background, which probably came from a drone carrying a telephoto lens, because the mountains would otherwise be much smaller. The foreground has been added from a traffic jam in Arizona." Check out the Arizona license plate and U of A sticker to see why I think so.

That's my personal reaction to the general driving update. Follow over the jump for my personal driving update.

Earth Hour 2023 asks 'Could an Hour change the world?'

Happy Earth Hour, which will happen at 8:30 P.M. local time in Europe, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere and has already happened in Asia, Australia, and the part of Oceania in the Eastern Hemisphere as I type this. I begin my observance with a video from Earth Hour, which asks Could an Hour change the world?

Imagine an Hour inspiring millions to act for our planet. An Hour that unites cities, countries, and continents. An Hour reminding us to make all other hours count.

That’s no longer just an hour…that’s the spark we need for change. That’s the #BiggestHourForEarth.

We can make it happen - together. Join us for #EarthHour on 25th March at 8:30 pm local time by switching off and spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.

Learn more: https://www.earthhour.org/

By itself, no. As I wrote for the first Earth Hour I blogged about in 2011: "I personally think this is a fun publicity stunt, and I'm going along with it, but by itself, it's just a publicity stunt." But it becomes yes if it changes attitudes and leads people to "go beyond the hour. Take action to make our world a better place and share your act with the world." I'm all in favor of that.

My readers might have noticed that the logo for the event has changed. Earth Hour explains that and more in Earth Hour 2023: Breathing new life into our movement and mission.

Since our beginnings in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for the “lights off” moment – a symbolic event to show our collective support for the planet. But this year, we're stepping things up, breathing new life into Earth Hour, our work, and our mission, creating the #BiggestHourForEarth.

How? By inspiring our supporters across the globe - from Asia and Africa to North and South America, Oceania and Europe - to give an hour for Earth, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.

Together, we can turn a single Earth Hour into thousands and millions of hours of action and impact for our one shared home, a unifying moment to remind the world just how important our planet is, and why we all can (and must) play a part to protect it.

Watching the explanation of the logo change reminded me of the Doomsday Clock. That's probably not an accident.

I close with a message from the United Nations: UN Chief on Earth Hour: The Biggest Hour for Earth 2023 | Sat, Mar 25, 2023 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

Video Message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Earth Hour 2023.

The United Nations is joining in the global effort to mark Earth Hour again this year. On Saturday, March 25th at 8:30 p.m. local time, join WWF, the United Nations and other partners in switching off your lights and giving an hour for Earth. For ideas on positive actions you can take for our planet, see www.un.org/actnow.

Nothing like being supported from the very top.

See you tomorrow for the final Sunday entertainment feature of March. Until then, lights out for the planet tonight!

Earth Hour 2022

Earth Hour is tonight at 8:30 P.M. local time all across the face of the planet, which means that it's Earth Hour as I type this and has already been Earth Hour between East Africa and the International Date Line. Instead of leading off with one of the official videos from the Earth Hour YouTube channel, I begin with Storybook Moments' Earth Hour, A light-out event for our planet - read aloud book.

Thank for joining me as I read to you Earth Hour, A Lights-Out Event for our planet! This book is written by Nanette Heffernan and Illustrated by Bao Luu.

I found that both appropriately written and effective at getting the message to young children. I also enjoyed it, as I hope my readers did, too.

Now for the Earth Hour 2022 Official Video (ft. "This Is Our Time" by Where Oceans Meet).

The stakes involved are high when making choices that will #ShapeOurFuture. But with your support over the past years, we’ve achieved so much for our planet and home. Let's keep making planet-friendly choices and on 26th March, 8:30pm your local time, switch off and #Connect2Earth. Learn more at https://www.earthhour.org/.

Featured song: "This Is Our Time" by Where Oceans Meet

That's the message for this year. Earth Hour 2021 - Global highlights video shows how last year worked out.

This past March, people from 192 countries and territories came together for #EarthHour to show they care for the future of our planet. Millions put the spotlight on Earth and created an unmissable sight on social media timelines and newsfeeds everywhere. We were also joined by public figures and celebrities, such as Antonio Guterres, Pope Francis, Sofia Vergara, Dia Mirza, Park Seo-Joon, Eliud Kipchoge, DJ Armin van Buuren and many more, speaking up for nature to safeguard the health of our planet and our own future.

Join us next year for Earth Hour 2022 - Saturday, 26 March, 8:30 pm local time.

Looks like it was a success.

See you tomorrow for the final Sunday entertainment feature of March. Until then, lights out for the planet tonight!

What the pandemic has taught us about ourselves and nature for Earth Hour 2021

Tonight from 8:30 to 9:30 P.M. local time is Earth Hour, which I have been blogging about for eleven years now. This year's event, like last year's, is taking place during a global pandemic. Earth Hour's video, The Earth Hour 2021 Virtual Spotlight | What COVID-19 has taught us about our planet, and ourselves, examines what humanity has learned during the past year.

The effects of a pandemic like COVID-19 are easy to see. But what about the causes? This #EarthHour, learn why our health depends on the health of the planet, and why we already have it in us to make a change - though we may just not have realized it yet.

This video reminds me why I think Commoner's Laws are so important, particularly everything is connected to everything else, a point I made most recently on World Wildlife Day. Earth Hour 2021 Official Video - ft "Together in This" by Natasha Bedingfield makes that point as well to a catchy melody and beat.

Nature is essential for our survival and is one of our greatest allies against climate change and pandemics, but it is under threat. Join us for #EarthHour on 27 March at 8:30pm local time to switch off and speak up for nature. Visit https://www.earthhour.org/ to find out more.

In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to work together and support each other. We must stand in solidarity to safeguard the health of our planet - our one shared home, and in turn our own health and well-being. Let’s come together to #Connect2Earth and protect nature for the future of people and the planet.

Soundtrack credit:
“Together in This”
Written by Jonas Myrin
Performed by Natasha Bedingfield
Used by kind permission of Capitol CMG Paragon, Son of the Lion, Songs of Universal Inc., Duva Island Songs & Universal Music

Once again, Earth Hour and the WWF are trying to make sustainability fun.

WWF Canada opted for a more serious but still optimistic tone and message in Earth Hour 2021 Virtual Spotlight | A Message of Hope.


This video serves as an example of another of Commoner's Laws, nature knows best. It also shows that efforts to protect nature can succeed. It's enough to make me post Professor Farnsworth, but instead I'm sharing the Earth Hour logo.


Happy Earth Hour, everyone!

Celebrate Earth Hour online during the pandemic

I so like my opening to #Connect2Earth for #EarthHour 2019 that I'm going to reuse it.

"Happy Earth Hour, when people all over the planet shut their lights off for an hour after dark."  That's me being a good environmentalist and recycling a greeting for the first special event I celebrated on this blog back on March 26, 2011, one I've observed every year, although sometimes a bit late.  That's not happening this year, as I celebrating it on time.

Like everything else, Earth Hour is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  The Independent (UK) explains.

This year, considering the number of people across the globe in self-isolation and under lockdown, Earth Hour is being celebrated in a slightly different way.

“We recognise the exceptional challenge that the world is facing and we thank you for your support as we try to realign our Earth Hour work appropriately,” it states on the Earth Hour website.

“In light of the latest developments the Earth Hour global organising team is recommending all individuals to take part in Earth Hour digitally this year.”

For those who would like to take part in Earth Hour, the event’s organisers are asking them to switch off their lights at home for the hour.

There are also several online events that will be live-streamed throughout the event, in addition to a “Voice for the Planet” petition you can sign “to let world leaders know that you care about nature and that you demand urgent political action to protect our planet”.

Al Jazeera English reported on the observance so far, concentrating on videos from Gibraltar, in Earth Hour marked during coronavirus pandemic.

The lights on major landmarks around the world are being switched off for Earth Hour.
The initiative, organised by the World Wildlife Fund,  invites people to think about how their lives and activities are affecting the planet.
And, as Al Jazeera's Andrew Chappelle reports, this year the coronavirus pandemic is making the event particularly significant.

I conclude with the Earth Hour 2020 Official Video - ft. "Rock the World" by The Script.

Nature is one of our greatest allies against climate change and is vital for our survival, but it is under threat. This #EarthHour, join millions around the world for the biggest environmental movement of 2020, and switch off on 28 March at 8:30pm your local time. Let’s come together this Earth Hour 2020 to #Connect2Earth and raise our voice for a healthy natural world we can all rely on. Take the first step at: https://www.earthhour.org/voice

Music Credit:
“Rock the World” performed by The Script
Used by kind permission of Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment

Stay safe at home, everyone, and, once again, Happy Earth Hour!

#Connect2Earth for #EarthHour 2019

"Happy Earth Hour, when people all over the planet shut their lights off for an hour after dark."  That's me being a good environmentalist and recycling a greeting for the first special event I celebrated on this blog back on March 26, 2011, one I've observed every year, although sometimes a bit late.  That's not happening this year, as I celebrating it on time.

Speaking of recycling, there is footage of last year's event showing landmarks all over the planet going dark in Official Earth Hour 2019 Video: #Connect2Earth.

Healthy nature makes our life better by providing us with good food, clean air, and fresh water - but it is all under the threat of climate change and loss of biodiversity. This #EarthHour, join us on 30 March 2019 at 8:30pm local time, to switch off and speak up why nature matters. #Connect2Earth

Just like last year, I'm featuring UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' message for Earth Hour 2019.

Nature makes our lives better by giving us benefits like good food, clean air, and freshwater - but we are pushing the planet to the limit and nature is severely under threat. It's time to show world leaders that people demand an international commitment to stop and reverse the loss of nature – we need a New Deal for Nature and People as comprehensive and ambitious as the Paris climate deal.

"Earth Hour is an opportunity to show support for ambitious climate action, by turning off your lights this Saturday, March 30th, at 8:30 p.m. local time. Together, let’s build a cleaner, safer and greener future for everyone." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

All of this is well and good, but as I wrote eight years ago, "this is a fun publicity stunt, and I'm going along with it, but by itself, it's just a publicity stunt."  What matters are the things we are willing to do the rest of the year.  Fortunately, Earth Hour uploaded Earth Hour 2019: Sustainable Actions for Nature to give all of us some ideas about what we can do.

Kids to adults speak out about what actions they will take for nature - from using less single-use plastic, eating a more plant-based diet, to taking public transport. What will you do to protect nature?

I have listed many of these ideas and more in The Sustainability Dozen: how to live more simply.  Both do these myself and tell my students about them.  May my good example influence my readers.

#Connect2Earth for Earth Hour 2018

Happy Earth Hour, when people all over the planet shut their lights off for an hour after dark.  Witness skylines go dark in solidarity with global efforts to protect Earth!

Every year, landmarks around the world go dark to support their support for our planet, our home. This year, 24 March 2018, 8:30pm local time, you can join us too!

It isn't just turning off the lights.  Earth Hour is a celebration of fighting climate change.  Watch Official Earth Hour 2018 Video: #Connect2Earth to see.

This #EarthHour, join us on a journey to spark never-before conversations and show us how you, your friends and family #Connect2Earth!

All of that is fun, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' message for Earth Hour 2018 states the seriousness of the event.

"Earth Hour is an opportunity to show our resolve to change." Join WWF's Earth Hour on Saturday, 24 March at 8:30 p.m. local time www.earthhour.org. Together, let's #Connect2Earth and start a conversation to protect our planet.

As I noted in Ten years of Earth Hour for 2017, "I've been celebrating the event since 2011, making this my seventh Earth Hour.  It also makes this the very first special day of any kind that I observed on the blog, second only to April Fools Day."  Today makes it the eighth celebration of Earth Hour in this blog's history.  I plan on observing it as long as both the event and I exist.

Ten years of Earth Hour for 2017

Today is Earth Hour, which is celebrating its tenth birthday.  Follow along with Earth Hour 2017: Ten Years of Impact to see a decade of working to protect the planet.

WWF's Earth Hour shows us how each of us can be heroes for our planet, our home. Our actions today can change our tomorrow - together, let's #ChangeClimateChange.

I've been celebrating the event since 2011, making this my seventh Earth Hour.  It also makes this the very first special day of any kind that I observed on the blog, second only to April Fools Day.  Wow!

In addition to turning off lights and other electronic devices between 8:30 P.M. and 9:30 P.M. local time, Earth Hour 2017: Protect Our Planet with Pocoyo has other suggestions to help the planet.

Pocoyo and his friends, Elly the elephant and Pato the duck, are determined to protect our planet and make our home a better place!

Yes, this video is intended for children, but adults can save water, drive less, conserve energy, and recycle, too.  These are lessons for all of us.  With that, I wish my readers a Happy Earth Hour!

A belated Earth Hour 2016

I was so busy with the Vernal Equinox and looking forward to Marche du Nain Rouge and Nowruz (Persian New Year) and the blog's birthday that I completely missed Earth Hour on Saturday.  To make up for it, I'm sharing a hopeful vision--The Future Starts Today: Earth Hour 2016.

Our actions today will decide ?what tomorrow will look like for generations to come. Join us at http://earthhour.org/climateaction to #ChangeClimateChange and create a better future for us and the planet.

I wish, I really do.  That's why I'm a Crazy Eddie.

Now, Earth Hour 2016 At A Glance.

On Saturday 19 March 2016, as WWF’s Earth Hour rolled across the world from Samoa to Santiago, millions came together to shine a light on the climate action our planet needs. Watch how the movement united individuals, communities, organizations and landmarks in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories to change climate change.

That looked like fun.  I'm glad I remembered, if a bit late.  Here's to celebrating it on time next year.

Stay tuned for the statistics entry for the fifth year of the blog.

Earth Hour 2015

I concluded D&D alignment charts for 'The Walking Dead' with the following footnote.

I forgot that yesterday was Earth Hour.  I'll be sure to post an entry about the event tomorrow or the day after.

Here is the post as promised.

First, the official promotional video.

Earth Hour 2015 is about getting the crowd to use #YourPower to change climate change. Take action and join the global movement today at http://earthhour.org/join-the-movement.

Next, Earth Hour 2015 Highlights.

In 2015, millions unite to light the way toward climate action.
Earth Hour is celebrated in 172 countries, with over 1400 landmarks switching off lights this Saturday.

I turned off my lights for Earth Hour.  Did you?

Spiderman promoted Earth Hour yesterday

It's Sunday, which means it's time for another collapse-and-decline-themed entertainment entry.  Today, it's Earth Hour, which happened yesterday.  That's not anything new for me, as I celebrated the event in 2011, 2012, and 2013.  What is new is the explicit entertainment angle, as the WWF, the organization behind Earth Hour, selected Spiderman as the event's Superhero Ambassador.  Here is the video in which the selection was announced.

Spider-Man will be the first superhero ambassador for Earth Hour, the global movement organised by WWF. This year Earth Hour launches Earth Hour Blue, a digital crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform for the planet. The cast of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, and director Marc Webb, want you to be a superhero for the planet. Use Your Power at www.earthhour.org

That was the hype.  Here is what resulted.

Earth Hour 2014 Spider-Man Global Highlights

Earth Hour 2014 has completed a record journey across the planet, uniting people from 162 countries and territories in more than 7000 cities and towns. With your power, Earth Hour has become an ongoing movement creating massive impact around the world, so imagine what else we can do with Spider-Man by our side. Go beyond the hour and be a Superhero for the Planet.

Follow over the jump for more highlights of last night's turning off the lights for the planet.

Earth Hour 2013

After celebrating the event in 2011 and 2012, there is no way I was going to skip marking it this year.

First, I present this video from Russia Today.

Planet Power: Over 150 countries turn lights off for Earth Hour 2013

It's an event that has united millions around the world - Earth Hour also saw Moscow turn the lights off in the Kremlin for the very first time. The lights are now back on in the Russian capital, and earlier I spoke to Madina Kochenova about the fascinating event.

For more details, read this article from The Canadian Press via CBC, which lists Earth Hours as 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time.

Vancouver leads Canada as Earth Hour 'capital'
Canadians will join millions worldwide in marking Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. in local time zones
The Canadian Press
Posted: Mar 23, 2013 12:04 PM

The City of Vancouver beat out 66 other cities around the world for the title of Global Earth Hour Capital in a challenged issued by the World Wildlife Fund.

The WWFund, which is the driving force behind Earth Hour, said it bestowed the 'capital' honour on Vancouver in recognition of the city's efforts to reduce pollution that causes climate change.

The city also received the highest number of online votes in a People's Choice ballot, and the city's government passed an official "Earth Hour 2013" proclamation.

About 13-million Canadians turned off their lights for an hour last year in the symbolic event aimed at drawing awareness to climate change.

BBC also has a slideshow: In pictures: Earth Hour around the world.

For more Earth Hour videos, surf over to the Earth Hour YouTube channel.

Happy Earth Hour, and remember to turn all unnecessary lights off tonight!

Earth Hour 2012

More at Earth Hour.

Earth Hour

From MSNBC: Cities are going dark for Earth Hour
By John Roach

Cities around the world are going dark on Saturday night for the annual Earth Hour event, which aims to raise awareness about actions people can take for the environment's sake.

The campaign, now in its fourth year, boasting participation of more than 4,000 cities in 131 countries and territories around the world. Hundreds of millions of people are expected to turn off their lights and other non-essential appliances for an hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time.

The symbolic act is expected to darken major landmarks around the world, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

I personally think this is a fun publicity stunt, and I'm going along with it, but by itself, it's just a publicity stunt.

This year, though, the organizers of Earth Hour have added another feature, Beyond the Hour. There, the organizers tell readers, "This Earth Hour, go beyond the hour. Take action to make our world a better place and share your act with the world." A search function allows you to see which actions readers have rated as most popular, such as going meat-free, going trash-free, going on a plastic diet, and turning off lights when going out. The MSNBC article includes some more.

•Cut down on the use of plastics
•Convert your lawn to a vegetable garden
•Conserve water
•Ride a bike, take the bus, or walk instead of driving

I've already started on the second, as my wife and I planted a garden last year and plan on doing it again this year, and the fourth, as I walk everywhere I can. It helps that I love walking and live in a relatively walkable neighborhood. I'm going to add one more--keep writing this blog. It's the least a Crazy Eddie can do.

On a TANJit (another Niven reference), I present you with this meme.

My Liberal Identity

You are an Eco-Avenger, also known as an environmentalist or tree hugger. You believe in saving the planet from the clutches of air-fouling, oil-drilling, earth-raping conservative fossil fools.

Take the quiz at
About.com Political Humor

This works for me.