Blog: Project Earth

"Save energy, save the Earth." March 27 was fast approaching and I wanted to do something as a contribution towards Earth Hour. Here in the UAE, power cuts are rare. So, I grabbed on an idea proposed by Gulf News to switch off the power for an hour every day, from 8 to 9pm, for an entire week starting March 13.

The week was different due to the continuous anticipation and apprehension of the enforced power cut. Initially I felt I was wasting an hour doing nothing. But as the days passed I realised that I was achieving special family time and learning to adjust to small inconveniences.

All through the week my family supported me. We actually had a lot of fun. We cooked, had candlelight meals, played games, and shared childhood memories.

I had never thought of doing such a thing before. The need to adjust to discomfort and sacrifice small luxuries only needed a slight change in attitude. That's all.

This project helped us realise the importance of power.

At the end of the week my observations were that I will be doing this more often.

I would be saving energy, reducing my power bill and spending quality time with family. I would be switching off power for an hour at least once a week or more often if possible. Frequency and duration could be reduced during the peak summer months and increased during the winter.

We still have a choice and the hour to take a decision has arrived.

Day 1:
"I am switching off the power at 8pm," I announced. “Oh mum, no TV also?” asked my seven-year-old son. I told him this entire week, we would have to do without electricity for one hour every night. At 8pm exactly, I switched off the mains. Light was filtering in from outside, though from other apartments in nearby buildings. I felt that maybe we would feel suffocated and hot and there would be a general discomfort. But believe me – nothing like that happened. The weather is not too hot, yet, and so we actually did not miss the air conditioner.
I lit a couple of candles and we sipped on hot soup, discussing school, studies and several other topics. Each of us was listening intently to the other, as there was no other distraction.
At the end of the hour, my son said, “Mum we could do this for a bit longer.” Wow! That felt great.
Well “Day 1” was a success. Now I am waiting for tomorrow.
What I achieved – special family time!

Day 2:
There was an air of anticipation today after yesterday’s successful experience. From half past seven, each of us was checking the clock to see if it was time for the ‘power cut’!
Today, I had planned a surprise for my family. I decorated the dining table with beautiful candles and set the table for a candlelight dinner.
On the dot of 8pm, I switched off the power and we all had a sumptuous dinner. It was almost 9pm by the time we finished eating.
I found out that the house was cooler without lights. Sounds of prayers from the mosque were clearer. The overall ambience was very peaceful.
I think we will do this more often...
“Day 2” was a success again!
What I achieved – saved money on a candlelight dinner in an expensive restaurant. Also had excited exclamations and animated discussion for an hour – courtesy my kids. I was able to make my son eat some green leafy vegetables mixed with his favourite potatoes. The dim light helped!

Day 3:
I was keeping my fingers crossed. The weather was on my side.
My family was getting used to this enforced power cut. There were plans being made, on which candles to light and ways to spend that hour. All of them were ready to bear with a slight discomfort for a short while, if it meant saving energy. See, attitude change!
My seven-year-old son is ready to sacrifice his TV viewing time though he is having a brief school vacation. My hubby is not complaining and finds this initiative to be pragmatic. My daughter is enthusiastic and full of ideas.
What else could I ask for?
Success again!
What I achieved – The realisation that switching off power for an hour is a feasible option.

Day 4:
Well, the unexpected happened. My hubby was going to get back late from work. The kids had gone for a birthday party. Unlike the past three days, today it wouldn’t be family time.
At 8pm sharp, I switched off the power. Now what was I supposed to do? Generally, when I am alone, I would cook, work on my laptop, or read a book.
The dark house was unnerving me. I lit a candle. I decided to meditate. I did a round of breathing exercises too! No distractions. This was going better than I thought. One hour of peace.
My eyes felt relaxed due to the absence of bright lights. The candlelight was soothing and peaceful.
Hmm… not bad!
What I achieved – Relaxed time with absolutely no sound or distractions.

Day 5:
I missed not having my family yesterday. Today, my hubby and I decided to tell our kids about our childhood.
He regaled the stories of his childhood in his hometown, where power cuts were a common phenomenon. In fact, there were some remote areas in the village where there was no power at all! This piece of information was something my kids found very difficult to digest.
It was 9pm and the children wanted to listen to more stories! “Please don’t switch on the lights. ‘Coz once you do so, each of you all will start doing some work or the other and I will feel bored,” cried my daughter.
With a promise of doing this ‘power cut’ again and continuing the story session, we switched on the lights and true to her word, hurried about doing our work.
This made me realise that we are tuned like robots and are so used to the luxury of having cool air and lights, that we are missing out on warm, cozy, family time.
What I achieved – Got to hear and share beautiful memories of childhood.

Day 6:
It is the weekend. We always go out for a long drive and buy essentials from the supermarket. We have a relaxed time and are never in a hurry. The next day is a holiday and the atmosphere is generally chill. But today we were hurrying things so that we could reach home by 8pm.
We reached home just a few minutes before eight. Before going we had switched off the power. We did not bother to switch it on. I hadn’t made dinner! I lit some candles and my family joined me in the kitchen to help me cook a meal. Soup, vegetable rice, green salad and lentils. The clock struck nine!
We finished cooking in an hour. But it was not easy cooking in candle light. Also it is not easy without switching on the exhaust in the kitchen. But the windows were open.
Noodles or instant oats are easy to cook with less light. But, cooking a proper meal in dim candle light? No microwave, toaster, grill, mixer grinder or chopper. Cooking a simple meal was not easy!
Probably I should have done the cooking earlier in the evening. It’s a relief that I don’t have to cook without lights every day. Eating in candle light is fun. But believe me, cooking is difficult and definitely not my cup of tea.
What I achieved — cooking a quick meal with group effort and learning to cook with less light.

Day 7:
I was feeling sad that today was technically the last day of the trial project that I had taken up.
We had made prior plans for today, which we couldn’t cancel. We left the house around 6pm and came back by 10pm. We switched off the power before we left. After we reached home, my children said: “Mum, today we haven’t done our power cut session. Let us do it now. We have to switch off the power when all of us are in the house so that we can sit, talk and listen to stories.”
That is what I felt was positive support. So though I was not able to keep my regular time of 8pm, we did switch off the power from 10 to 11pm.
“Won’t we be doing this tomorrow also? Is it the last day today?” my children asked.
I assured them that we would be doing this as often as possible, at least two times a week.
We discussed about methods of saving power and making adjustments wherever required.
I felt like the hour passed too soon. I was happy that the project had been successful, but sad that the routine might be difficult to follow on all days henceforth.
I knew that probably I wouldn’t be able to follow this routine power cut every day. But I would definitely try.
What I achieved — children understanding the importance of saving power and positive support from my family.