WWF Malaysia 6 Apr 10;
WWF-Malaysia would like to respond to the article “The untold truth about Earth Hour” which appeared in the Star online on 31st March 2010.
We wish to clarify that Earth Hour does not purport to be an energy or carbon reduction exercise. WWF recognises that the energy reductions brought about by a one hour ‘lights out’ campaign is not going to have a significant effect on energy consumption and is certainly not enough to turn the tide on rising global carbon emissions. Rather, Earth Hour is an initiative to encourage individuals, businesses and governments to take accountability for their carbon footprint and show leadership in climate solutions. Through Earth Hour, WWF hopes to create the necessary political momentum for enacting national climate legislation and a global climate treaty.
Earth Hour is a symbolic event and is meant to unite people, companies and governments around the world through the very simple act of flipping a light switch. We hope that through events like Earth Hour, a growing number of people, governments and businesses will be aware and concern enough about the climate crisis to start making the necessary changes to be more carbon-efficient.
Earth Hour is not a long-term solution to mitigate climate change. However, it is an important first step to generate awareness, interest and concern over the global threat of climate change. People will only be motivated to take effective action against environmental threats like climate change if they are first made aware of the issue through campaigns like Earth Hour. By participating in Earth Hour, you are agreeing that strong action needs to be taken to find a solution to the climate crisis.
Earth Hour is an important first step. WWF hopes that people will continue to demonstrate their concern about climate change by taking steps towards achieving energy efficiency and avoiding wasteful consumption. WWF will continue to work with communities, governments and businesses to find ways to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change.
The untold truth about Earth Hour
The Star 31 Mar 10;
Earth Hour is a global event organised by World Wildlife Fund and is held on the last Saturday of March annually. Households and businesses are requested to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
However, by turning off the lights and electrical appliances for one hour does not contribute to the environment if Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are not involved.
TNB purchases electricity from IPPs in Malaysia under certain agreements. It transmits and distributes electricity to almost all houses and premises in Malaysia.
To achieve uninterrupted electricity supply, TNB always produces more electricity than the usage by the public so that there will be no power failure due to insufficient supply. That unused electricity generated is known as electricity reserve margin.
Malaysia had a high reserve margin of 42% in the year 2009. This simply means that we are wasting 30% of produced electricity every second as the unused energy can’t be stored and will just be lost.
Nations like Japan have only single digit of electricity reserve margin. Why should Malaysia need 42%? I didn’t understand until I found out that it is mainly because of the contracts between TNB and the IPPs.
TNB has to purchase a certain amount of electricity at a contracted price, whether it uses the electricity or not. TNB has no choice since the contracts have already been signed. So our precious energy resource is wasted.
How much coal or petroleum is required to produce such a big amount of electricity, all of which ends up wasted?
Back to Earth Hour. We are asked to switch off our lights for one hour. The claim is that we can help to conserve the environment. Is this possible in Malaysia without the cooperation of TNB and the IPPs?
You might be switching off the lights and not using electricity, but the same amount of electricity is still being produced each and every second. The same amount of coal and petroleum is being burnt and the same amount of waste gases is being produced.
The only difference is that your electricity bill will be a little lower. But you have done nothing for the environment.
I am not against the protection of the environment and conservation of energy, but please do it in the right way. Why doesn’t the WWF talk this over with TNB and the IPPs and get them to participate in the project?
The objective is right, but the message the public is receiving is misleading. People believe they have done their part to conserve the environment by turning off the lights for one hour, but the truth is not that.
WWF should focus more on instilling the right positive attitude towards Mother Earth instead of making this event seem like entertainment, with people doing as asked merely because it is trendy.
ANG YEN,
Kota Tinggi.
