Photo by Jeff Louie
If enough of us were to flick on the lights at the same time, Toronto could find itself cloaked in darkness like we did in August 2003. But the odds of such a disaster resulting from Earth Hour are nil. During the hour of non-power (from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday in March), participating cities turn off non-essential lighting (the CN Tower’s neon glow, for example) but leave most voltage suckers—like home furnaces, street lights and the TTC—humming. In other words, despite its “Go Green” message, the event is more hype than substance, which explains last year’s Nathan Phillips Square Earth Hour concert, featuring “Turn Out the Lights” singer Nelly Furtado. This year, officials are hoping to reduce electricity usage by at least as much as last year’s 262 megawatts—enough to offset the annual CO2 output of about two and a half Torontonians, but not enough to leave us clamouring for candles.
• Question from Jesse Wilky in Moore Park
Wondering about the waterfront? Curious about construction? Perplexed by politics? Ask the Urban Decoder a question here.
Dear Urban Decoder: I saw an airplane flying a “Jesus Sucks” banner over the harbour. What was that about, and does it break any rules?—Rainey Howard, Swansea 
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