When the world seems like a very dark place (and anyone with a TV, newspaper or internet connection this past week has probably felt pretty dark), remember that it’s only going to get darker. Before you don your best black clothes and crank up some Morrissey or Marilyn Manson, I’m talking about actual daylight. And the good news is it’s reversible. Every day is just a little bit shorter until we hit rock bottom on Friday, the winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. There are a measly 8 hours, 55 minutes and 43 seconds of sunshine on Friday. Then, miraculously, Saturday has a few more seconds of daylight, then Sunday has a few more till finally we peak on June 21st with a whopping 15 hours, 26 minutes and 35 seconds of the bright, shiny stuff.
So many cultures and religions have ways of celebrating to combat the darkness. Diwali translates as “festival of lights” and is one of the highlights of the Hindu calendar. Judaism also has a festival of lights, Chanukkah, which just finished lighting all 8 candles last weekend. And we are just about to head into Christmas, with lights and tree displays of epic proportion. We being the Energy & Environment team would like to acknowledge some of the more spectacular and clever ways people have brightened their lives while playing nice with the planet.
Pop Can Tree: Someone must have loved their soda pop a whole lot to stash away this many empty cans, but I am completely amazed with the results. Note the 2 litre bottle on top as a star…completely ingenious.
Pop Bottle Menorah: The artistry on the painted bottle menorah would bring an earth-friendly smile to any Chanukah reveler.
LED Diwali: And these beautiful LED lights really brighten the house for Diwali with a minimum of energy (more energy efficiency tips for your home from our friends at Toronto Hydro) .
On that bright note, we at Energy & Environment would like to wish you the most wonderful, joyous and happy holidays!
Talkin' Trash With UHN 