getting FIRST into Earth Hour

[Molten]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

Certainly you can put a field in a abandoned warehouse and let teams drive robots all day to become inspired without all the cost or glamor.

At least entry fee would be much cheaper.

On a serious note: To anyone that wants to do this, enjoy...I just don't think its for me. Thanks for the explanation Arthur. For a bit, it seemed kind of like the time when everyone decided to open their fridges for an hour to combat global warming.

[KelliV]

Originally Posted by Molten

. For a bit, it seemed kind of like the time when everyone decided to open their fridges for an hour to combat global warming.

It isn't the act that is trying to change the world, it's the conversations that surround it. Just as FIRST isn't only about the competitions, it is about getting people interested in Science and Technology. Earth Hour acts as a catalyst for conversation.

As for impact, please read this article http://www.physorg.com/news126182148.html that discusses the impact that the Chicagoland area had.

[ebarker]

I don't want to sound negative but I guess I will. And I mean this with all due respect to the participatant's on this thread.

To my way of thinking this earth day thing is a collective hipster culture action mob that can accomplish maybe three things.

1) save a little energy.
2) raise awareness.
3) assuage guilt about contributing to environmental degradation.

re: energy saving - a slight shift in 'degree days' can completely overtake or underrun the energy savings in this exercise.

re: awareness - if the average person in the developed world isn't aware of energy problems and CO2 then they must live in a happy bubble on planet Zebulon.

re: guilt - if they average person thinks by participating in this they are then guilt free to visit the local mall and walk under glaring lights that are mounted under skylights, on a crystal clear day... i think not.

If the average person wants to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to saving energy, they can install energy saving devices AND support efforts to promote STEM education (like FIRST)

If the average FIRST'er wants to get in on the action, then they should spend 25% of their time educating the public as to why FIRST is important, 25% working toward student projects that address sustainability (in all areas, healthcare, energy, water, food, shelter.....) and 50% of their time having robo fun.

HERE IS A CHALLENGE !!!

What if teenagers that knew something about technology, AND graphic design went to the mall. They walked around with a camera and a notebook and pencil and took notes. And then went to their workshop and started designing or promoting 'carbon free signage'.

If you walk around the mall you will see very effective signs over store entrances that use NO energy (after manufacture) and are as effective or even more stylish than glaring 'beam me up scottie' signs.

Drive around town at 2am and look at the number and types of lights that are on. Lights are going up faster than we can turn them off.

Either we get lighting under control, permanently by design, or we need to triple the energy costs to get the consumer to turn them off.


OK - I step down from my soapbox............ and I apologize in advance for anyone offended by my rant...........

[mathking]

OK, let me get up on my soapbox.

We all participate in FIRST, something that is designed to "raise awareness." Earth Hour serves the same purpose. It may be true that most people have heard of what is going on with the environment and our energy supply. It is also true that most people have heard we have a shortage of scientists and engineers, but we're all still doing FIRST. Events like Earth Hour, and FRC events, are supposed to help serve as motivation as well. Keeping those who believe in the goals excited and motivated to keep working toward them.

Whether you believe in global warming or not, we are currently using up a finite set of resources (fossil fuels) at an increasing rate. The measures that many scientists tell us are needed in order to combat global warming are the same ones we need to take in order to continue having enough affordable energy and to pollute our environment less. There is a reason this is one of Dean Kamen's areas of interest. Looking for sources of renewable energy, ways to conserve energy and ways to distribute energy is inherently going to be a matter of many solutions.

One of the ways entrenched interests argue against alternative energy sources is to point out that power sources like wind or solar could never supply all of our energy. They are correct. No single source can provide our energy. But many sources can supply a lot of our energy. Conservation efforts can save us a lot of energy. And every kilowatt hour saved or produced via renewable means is that much less pollution and that much less of a finite resource used up.

[ebarker]

continuing in the spirit of a healthy and spirited discussion......

Something that makes FIRST distinctly different from other "awareness" groups is the participants can eventually develop and deliver permanent lasting coherent solutions to sustainability.

The problem I have with a lot of awareness groups is they create a mob that "demands change" without commitment to become part of the solution.

Demanding that someone else defy the laws of physics to satisfy a political demand is different making a personal commitment to support and maintain the hard work needed to find effective solutions.

I'm sure I'd be a little less critical if the mob 'demanded' that everyone celebrate and pursue STEM activities so we could get some of these problems solved.

[EricVanWyk]

I hope we haven't broken the soapbox yet, I'll have to risk it...

When a cause becomes large enough, it's supporters have a some distribution of effectiveness. At some point, a significant number (though hopefully not percentage) will have a negative effectiveness. My most accessible example of this is the extremist part of PETA. Their over the top actions reduces the credibility of the entire movement.

I am not suggesting that we must all become boring centrists. I am also not suggesting that Earth Hour has crossed this line. Instead, we must be very selective in how we present our arguments. We are not trying to convince ourselves, we are trying to convince others. Identify and know your audience.

With this in mind, please remember that this is not about the power saved during that hour. It is about dedicating an hour to education.