The Big Switch Off

The Big Switch Off is an independent environmental campaign launched in Melbourne, Australia in November 2006. It is a "40-hour Famine style" challenge to residents to switch off the electricity and gas connections to their houses, refrain from using petrol and batteries for 24 hours.

The goals of the campaign are to increase awareness of the need for energy efficiency from all people in helping to combat global warming. By depriving themselves of power for a full day, participants are hoped to become more aware of all their daily activities that use electricity and gas, and thus realise the extent of their own contributions to the emission of greenhouse gases. Over the 24 hour period, they are also expected to discover new or forgotten activities that have no associated emissions.

Intended to be a fun and social day, the Big Switch Off is planned for October 6th and 7th in 2007, starting at 8pm on the Saturday night and ending at 8pm on the Sunday night. An event is planned to be staged in Melbourne on the Sunday night, with all participants welcome to attend. Other, smaller gatherings are also being organised, to be listed on the Big Switch Off website.

Since its launch in November, several newspaper articles have been published both promoting and condemning the campaign, first in Melbourne daily 'The Age' on Thursday December 7 2006, just a day before the first Big Switch Off. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/all-power-to-you/2006/12/06/1165081019563.html All power to you - In Depth - theage.com.au ] ] This was followed up on the Friday by a negative article published in rival newspaper the "Herald Sun" written by the well known 'anti-environmentalist' Andrew Bolt. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20889770-5006029,00.html In the dark ages | Herald Sun ] ]

Since the trial run in December 2006, publicity and support has grown for the campaign.

References

External links

* [http://www.thebigswitchoff.com The Big Switch Off]