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Earth Hour Photos from South Georgian Bay

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX four seasons realty limited

My favourite photographic contributor is at it again.  E.H. Scott,  a client of mine who lives atop the Niagara Escarpment to the south of Collingwood, sent these two photos he took on March 27th.  The first was taken at 20:53 in the middle of Earth Hour and, the second at 21:45, after Earth Hour had finished. You can clearly see that after Earth Hour, the glow in the sky from Collingwood - Blue Mountain is much greater.

 

According to the president of Collus (our local utility provider), Collingwood's consumption dropped 5.6% compared to 9% last year.  This could be due to a number of factors since the same trend was seen across Ontario.  For example, it was cold that day.  It could also be due to lower consumption patterns become a norm on a regular basis thereby lessening the impact of of turning things off or down during Earth Hour.

I had a most interesting chat with Collingwood's Mayor, Chris Carrier, yesterday about the many cutting-edge and exciting new opportunites that are emerging around environmental opportunities for municipalities, home owners and builders.  Things like energy cooperatives, geothermal or solar installations for entire developments, use of land-fill methane to fuel generators and trucks... there is a great deal of innovation out there and exciting times ahead.  Ontario's new Green Energy Act has certainly accelerated this trend to a surprising degree.

As an Accredited Green Broker™, keeping on top of "green" trends is a passion for me.  If you are thinking of buying a new-to-you home, let's talk about how you can minimize that second price tag of utility and comfort costs.

 

 

Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Those are great photographs Marg. You can clearly see the difference in those two pictures.

Apr 03, 2010 10:35 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Marg - interesting take on the numbers from last year to this ..... the photos certainly show the difference

Apr 03, 2010 11:36 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Marg,

Amazing difference in the two photos....Earth Hour shows what potential we all have to make a difference in stalling global warming or at least slowing it down.

Jo

Apr 03, 2010 03:50 PM
Marg Scheben
RE/MAX four seasons realty limited - Collingwood, ON
Edey - Collingwood, Ontario

It's pretty neat to see the contrast even at just 5.6%.  It goes to show how a little bit can make a big difference.

You know, I've always wondered why we don't think abut running at half power if some larger venues as happened after the great 3 days power outage a few years ago.  I love going into grocery stores on half power and it had no impact on my aging vision.  Doing this once a year during Earth Hour is a good exercise in awareness but it would be good to do it more often. 

Apr 04, 2010 05:39 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Marg - on a recent visit to Hilton Head it was interesting to note the reduceed and or restricted use of light in buildings, signs, parking lots, street lights and so on.

Apr 05, 2010 06:53 AM
Marg Scheben
RE/MAX four seasons realty limited - Collingwood, ON
Edey - Collingwood, Ontario

Is that on a regular basis Kathy or was it just during Earth Hour?

Apr 06, 2010 09:08 AM