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June 20, 2008
Global news anchor Darling gets in the green game
Global BC morning news co-anchor Steve Darling admits he was intimidated when approached to join Team Power Smart, but he also had an inside advantage.
His wife works for BC Hydro's health and safety department.
"I was a little intimidated to begin with because I thought, what if they come here and say, 'Oh my God, you're the worst person ever for the environment?'" says Darling. "But my wife works for Hydro, so a lot of the stuff she knew off the bat.
But it was an eye opener just discovering ways to be energy efficient," he adds.
"And I have never been a stand-on-the-sidelines guy. I like to be in the game, so if I can do a little bit to help out, it's great."
Darling learned for example that switching incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents, and Christmas lights to LEDs, may be small behaviour modifications, but taken as a whole, they're huge. It also made him feel like an active participant in the energy conservation movement – which is crucial because it's the spirit of participation and action that will help people overcome the seeming hugeness of environmental challenges.
"There are a lot of things you can do and make you feel like you're being a part of it – I think that's the biggest thing," says Darling. "Some people look at the environment movement and think you have to be someone who hangs out in trees and eats peanut butter, but that's not the case. Anyone can do it and it's easy to do.
"I feel like I'm part of it now anyway in a small way."
New townhouse, few major issues
The Darling household got its Power Smart audit in March, and because theirs is a relatively new townhouse with modern windows and Styrofoam insulation in the foundation, it earned high marks for energy efficiency. Only the pot lights need switching out, and Darling is encouraging others in his complex to do the same.
"Everyone in the complex uses these little potlights, so we're trying to get everyone to switch to energy efficient ones – we'll hopefully lead the way and everyone else will come on board."
Taking Power Smart "Global"
Darling and Global climatologist and fellow Team Power Smart member Mark Madryga are leading the Power Smart way at work. Darling leaves the house every morning at 3:30 a.m. to be on air at 5:30, where he co-anchors the No. 1 rated morning news program. He and Madryga are going to use their prominent profiles to broadcast the word to Global viewers.
"So hopefully it will encourage other people to do it as well," says Darling. "The little things you do are so easy and make such a big difference. A little thing like turning the water off when you brush your teeth – a lot of people don't think about it, they're thinking just leave the water on... But in one city block, if all the people cut down a minute of running water two or three times a day, that's a huge amount of water."
Well, nobody's perfect
Not that Darling has got that particular one down himself. Leaving the water running is one of his own small flaws when it comes to energy conservation. His other misdemeanors include driving an SUV, showering a little too long, and letting the water run when he shaves.
"But I don't think you can change your whole lifestyle right off the bat," he cautions. "You need to take baby steps towards it. And once you get a few of those things down, you can add things along the way. It's like anything – if you decide to go cold turkey and live in a solar house and only wear hemp clothing it's not going to work. You have got to pace yourself.
"The best way is to make it routine, make sure it's properly done, and add things as you go along."
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