Hundreds of activists in Bali have called on residents to participate in a global campaign to promote World Silent Day (WSD) on March 21, the day people are required to take real action to reduce their use of energy in order to cut emissions for only four hours.
Sisca Kusumawardhani, a teen activist, asked people to produce creative activities to save the energy.
“Within four hours, residents can do everything to lower energy consumption in their respective homes, offices or neighborhoods,” Kusumawardhani said.
The campaign, started in 2008, was inspired by the Hindu ritual of Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, which falls every year to observe Caka New Year.
During Nyepi, Hindu believers living on the island of Bali refrain from using lights or exiting their homes for 24 hours.
The island’s entry gates including airports and seaports are all closed. Bali is silent and dark on Nyepi.
Hira Jhamtani, one of WSD’s initiators, said that the campaign would be very effective in making significant emissions cuts.
“During Nyepi, for example, Bali can cut around 20,000 tons of CO2 from the stoppage of transportation operation including cars, motorcycles, airlines and other transportation modes,” Jhamtani said. Not to mention the usage of electricity power, Jhamtani added.
The selection of March 21 as World Silent Day was based on a scientific reason when the sun is to be on the vernal equinox point heading from the equator to the north side. On the next day, people will observe World Water Day.
The World Silent Day movement is expected to encourage any individual regardless of race, religion and social status to make a real contribution to save the earth.
“We have already collected 10,000 signatures to support the movement. We expect to get at least 10 million signatures,” Kusumawardhani added.
The 10 million signatures are required to propose World Silent Day to the secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a global movement, which is rooted in local Balinese wisdom.
Contributions, signatures and public testimonies are available at worldsilentday.org.
“You can take a walk to school or ride a bike while dating your boyfriend or girlfriend on March 21.
These are exemplary actions on how to cut emissions in fun and creative ways,” she added.
