THE BIG SWITCH OFF

The Big Switch Off
48 hours without power
December 8-10, 2006
www.thebigswitchoff.org

We've all heard about global warming and most of us have now experienced
the first effects of climate change. There's no longer any argument to the
cause – the human burning of fossil fuels to create energy is emitting
copious amounts of greenhouse gases. Australia's electricity is mainly
generated by burning dirty coal. We have the cheapest electricity in the
world and emit more greenhouse gases per capita than any other nation. We
are the spoilt children of the world. If every country lived like we do,
we'd need four planet earths just to keep us going.

Every time we watch TV, cook dinner, take a hot shower, use the computer,
turn on the lights, air conditioner or heater, we're emitting greenhouse
gases. Every time we drive our cars, charge our mobile phones, mow the
lawns, we're contributing to global warming and speeding up climate change.
We all kind of know this don't we?

This is an invitation to stop consuming energy for two days and to think
about it. It's also about the joys of getting back to basics and finding
out what you can do when you're not using power. Hey, you might even find
yourself spending more time with family and friends. Crazy, huh?

On Friday December 8 at 8pm, turn off your house electricity. Switch off
your gas hot water heater. Put your car keys away. Switch off your mobile
and any other battery-powered devices, and unplug your landline phones.
Don't step foot into any powered site, shop, house or building. You can,
however, use public transport, buy ice and use beeswax or soy candles,
which aren't made from petroleum.

If you're working that weekend, see if your employer will join The Big
Switch Off. If they won't and if there's no way you can get out of working,
carry over your uncompleted Big Switch Off hours to before or after the
weekend.

For everyone else, on Sunday December 10 at 8pm, switch back on, but be
more aware of what you're switching on.

Over these 48 hours, your household will prevent about 80kg of greenhouse
gases from entering the atmosphere – that's 1600 black balloons worth.
While small compared to Australia's total emissions, every little bit
helps. If all Australian households were to follow, this will prevent over
half a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, just over the weekend.

This might take some planning on your household's part. Think about it –
preferably before Friday at 8pm.
And, if you're in Melbourne, come and join fellow 'switchers' at dusk on
Saturday the 9th at Fitzroy Gardens and contribute your own unplugged
entertainment, or arrange your own power-free gathering wherever you are
around the globe. Wherever you travel, make sure it's by foot, bike,
skateboard, roller-blade or public transport. And whatever gatherings you
organise, make sure they're power-free and planned before the weekend
(remember, this is back to basics, no calls or emails over the weekend).
Global warming is now the biggest issue of our generation. To make a
difference, we need politicians who will understand that winning our votes
requires immediate and effective policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This is not a protest. It is an initiative that will open more eyes to this
big issue, for the planet's sake.

Please forward this invitation to as many friends as possible and make sure
you register with us at www.thebigswitchoff.org.

This first-ever Big Switch Off is building momentum and experience for an
even bigger switch-off in the very near future. We're hoping this will be
one of Australia's biggest community challenges. Stay tuned!