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March 18, 2009
Earth Hour Q & A with Global meteorologist Mark Madryga
Childhood weather junkie Mark Madryga was watching the skies for lightning long before he became Global BC's senior meteorologist.
Since joining Team Power Smart, though, he's started keeping an eye on a slightly different kind of electrical activity. With Mark's family of four and the standard line-up of hungry electronics, even little power drains can quickly add up to major energy costs.
As a Team Power Smart leader, Madryga has agreed to answer a few quick questions about Earth Hour 2009, the World Wildlife Federation-inspired initative that asks residents and businesses around the world to turn off all unnecessary lights for one hour on March 28th.
Q: What do you plan to do from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 28th, and what did you do for Earth Hour 2008?
As we did in 2008, my family and I will call it a night at 8:30 pm on the 28th – lights out!
Q: Some critics have said Earth Hour's a one-time, one-hour act that doesn't change much. Where do you see the value in this global initiative?
The event certainly creates awareness on a massive global scale of the serious benefits of reducing energy consumption. I tend to agree that worldwide shutdown of lights sends a message, but yes it is likely short-lived. Greater efforts need to be made on a frequent basis year round to prevent energy waste. It is the non-necessary consumption that is critical. Methods to correct this are the key, such as what BC Hydro is doing with the Power Smart program here in B.C.
Q: What drives you most toward an energy-saving and conservation lifestyle?
My primary motivation is simple – I detest waste of any kind. Lowering power and heat consumption is such a basic procedure, as is recycling and lowering carbon emissions through less driving. For me, reducing our output of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is paramount here. Household by household, it adds up!
Q: You've been a Team Power Smart member for more than a year. How did you do in the first year, and how are you doing so far in Year 2?
We are making headway in our home, by taking quicker showers, drying clothes on a rack, keeping the furnace off more (my wife is wearing her scarf in the house as I write this), and by being strict around the house about keeping lights off when leaving a room. And year two – well, the sky's the limit on efficiency!
Q: Of the Power Smart changes you've made so far, which one seems to be the most effective?
Unplugging appliances and electronics, especially computers, when not in use.
Source: BC Hydro
