Today is, apparently, World Environment Day. Well, Monsieur Environment, I'm sure you're pleased*. This post, now, will not wish you a Happy World Environment Day. Nor will it preach the wonders of saving the environment. Why bother, then?

You see, it is just twisted irony. That I happened to notice this today:


This is Sydney Opera House.                       This is Sydney Opera House with 
                                                                       lights switched off.  

               

          

Sydney was where it all began, the phenomenon called Earth Hour, back "in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world have adopted the event."

And, with less publicity, going back to their lives the next day.

Lives, that sometimes include this:            A less pretty--but more telling--picture:

(This, is part of the Sydney Festival 2011, that transformed the city into a 'colourful canvas of light'.)

So, was that One Hour of Darkness compensation for this brilliant lighting? Have they spared the slightest thought to their commitment to the environment? Forgive me my cynicism, but I do not think so.


Note: This is in no way specifically targeted at the Sydney Opera House. Only, they made it a symbol of Earth Hour, and now I'm using it to attack that Token gesture.


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*Or not. Everybody will puff up their pride about doing their bit for the environment, and go back to doing what ever it is they do.


Pics from:
http://www.101worldtravel.com/2010/06/23/the-sydney-opera-house/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Hour
http://www.limitemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sydney_opera_house_2.jpg

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/CVIitYMvYan/Vivid+Sydney+Festival+Lights+Up+City