Pint-sized environmentalist Hannah Alper is encouraging everyone, both young and old, to do more than just flick off their lights for the seventh annual Earth Hour.
The ten-year-old animal lover and author of the popular environmental blog CallMeHannah.ca says everyone should take time to reflect this Saturday, between from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, on how they can live a greener lifestyle.
“I try to motivate kids and adults to see how special the environment is and how much we really need it,” Alper said on CTV’s Canada AM on Friday.
Her project, called the Stop, Start and Continue Pledge, asks participants to download a ‘Pledge Certificate’ from her website, then use it to jot down three eco-resolutions.
“Stop is a negative [pledge] but can be turned into a positive one,” explained Alper. “Think of something you’re doing that’s harmful to the environment and then write ‘I will stop littering, I will stop using plastic water bottles.’”
Alper, who is an avid recycler and has a bin at home for reusable goods she donates to the Humane Society of Canada, lists a number of suggestions for pledges on her blog such as “I will organize a cleanup in my neighbourhood” and “Grow a garden and try to plant some of my vegetbales.”
“It makes you feel really good when you start doing it because you’re starting to make a difference,” said Alper, who had the opportunity to interview her role model, environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki’s daughter Severn-Cullis Suzuki, in February.
Alper said her favourite pledge is the ‘continue’ one which asks participants to persist with whatever eco-actions they begin.
“What’s so awesome about it is that you’ll realize you’re making a difference,” explained Alper, who has been named an Earth Hour team captain by the World Wildlife Fund, the global environmental group which organizes the event.
Earth Hour began as a Sydney-only event in 2007. The city’s iconic Harbr Bridge and Opera House went dim for the event. Last year, hundreds of world landmarks, including Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and the Great Wall of China went dark for the annual event.
Across Canada, 511 municipalities promised to take part last year.
