This year Earth Hour covered all the continents. Some 125 countries participated to Earth Hour.  There were 30  countries more than last year participating to the campaign.

Here in Finland there was quite a lot places participating, as 80 communes were participating and many many organisations also. Bigger events were organized  in Helsinki, Imatra, Savonlinna, Lempäälä, and here in Tampere.

People (and even a couple of dogs :D) gathered to the central square to wait for the lights to be switched off. Right after we had a pleasure to see a wonderful fire-show performed by Sorin Sirkus.

One of the Millennium development goals (MDGs) is environmental sustainability. I think this is one of the goals that seems to have the most interest among people nowadays, as so many people are worried about the climate change and even the media is talking about this more than before. There are other goals that are far less covered by media. For example poverty and hunger is not a theme that would be as much discussed for the moment. Atleast here in Finland I haven't heard many discussions about this issue.

Among the goals there are very important issues that all are somehow connected, such as education, gender equality, maternal and child health, combatting HIV/AIDS and global partnership. These are the goals and there are sub-goals to achieve a better future. For example when it comes to ensuring environmental sustainability, there are targets such as Integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources. It seems that many countries start to be aware that there is a lot to do to achieve these goals.

I believe it is important to make universal campaigns such as Earth Hour, for these kinds of events that demonstrate that everybody is doing something together, not just one country, but a number of nations.

These climate issues are now gathering people together also here in Finland. But what about poverty? I wonder why I haven't seen people standing up and take action here, as there has been action in many other countries:

Is there no interest to this kind of action here in Finland, and why is that? In my blog I will later on write also about attitudes, because I find it's very important in everything that people do.

It's important to see the action around the world, as some people ask "why I should do something when some other people are not doing anything?" Even if this was not the case. This is why information is needed.

These kinds of actions have an influence on our attitudes, when we do something together, for example turning the lights of, it is a different feeling than if you did something only by yourself.

I'm not very optimistic that in 5 years it would be possible to achieve the goals. Still I think it's worth a try. Now I would like to see people getting interested in these goals, not only about the environmental one, but also when it comes to helping others. It is time to think about humanity, what we can do together.

Here's a videoclip of my favorite band, I think they make the message quite clear

Watched from a distance, it's beautiful
Somebody's caught in the undertow
Have you ever felt desperation?
The saltwater's filling your lungs
We will regret it when we sleep
Promises never meant to keep
When all of the shadows need
Is a good man to hide in the dream
Do they know that the world's on fire?

Time is a price we can't afford
An empty glass and an open door
You get what you paid for in sweat
And a voice that says please don't forget

Do they know that the world's on fire?
Do they know that the time is now?
Do they know that you gotta stand up, stand up
Let your voice speak out
Do they know that it's time?

Caught in a maze you can't escape
The flickering lights, and the colored lens
The walls that we build just close in
Until we decide to begin
Are we distracted by the sun?
The glittering jewels, and the beating drums
Is it going the distance we fear?
Have you heard that we're already here?

Do they know that the world's on fire?
Do they know that the time is now?
Do they know that you gotta stand up, stand up
Let your voice speak out
Do they know that the world's on fire?
Do they know that the time is here?
Do they know that you gotta stand up, stand up
Let your voice be clear
Do they know that it's time?

Some will say we've gone too far
We're on the edge and in too deep
Some will say we're too far gone
You can't erase the tragedy

- Hanson: World's on fire