With all the uncertainty going on in the world right now, this year’s Earth Hour gives us a good opportunity for a global, collective pause. A pause to reflect on the impacts our lives make on our planet, such as the increasing demands for food, water and energy. These all have a direct affect on our wildlife and our environment.

This year, Earth Hour encourages a time to “switch off.” Turning off your lights for 1 hour shows a commitment to the conservation and protection of our earth. Although very much apart right now, this worldwide event can bring us together in spirit to show our support in saving our planet.

March 28, 2020

8:30 pm (your local time)

Learn more about this event from WWF and get some good tips of how to participate… in the dark!

Given the unprecedented circumstances, WWF advises participants to join Earth Hour at home or online following CDC guidelines. People can participate in Earth Hour this March 28th at 8:30 pm local time by turning off their lights for one hour to show solidarity and support for protecting our natural environments. In the past, millions of people and places have participated. During these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that we take a collective pause and use this time to reflect, evolve and strengthen our relationship with ourselves, with each other and with nature.

Here are some ideas you might enjoy while reflecting on your personal commitments to fighting climate change and protecting our forests, rivers, oceans, and wildlife. WWF designed these with current social distancing policies in mind.

Things to do in the dark

© Day’s Edge Productions

The coronavirus is a hot topic of conversation these days. As it continues to grow and span countries, people are becoming more mindful of things they can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. The good news is that coronaviruses are ‘enveloped viruses,’ which means they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill when using the correct disinfectant products like the commonly known Lysol, Purell, and Clorox to name a few. The EPA has also just released a full list of disinfectants to protect against the spread of these germs. In addition to hand washing, using these listed disinfectants correctly can reduce or prevent the spread of illness, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.”

While there is still much to learn, we can take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread and keep ourselves safe. Read more from the EPA and check out the full list of disinfectants through their link below:

“Products appearing on EPA’s list registered disinfectant products have qualified for use against COVID-19 through the agency’s Emerging Viral Pathogen program. This program allows product manufacturers to provide EPA with data, even in advance of an outbreak, that shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses than SARS-CoV-2. It also allows additional communications intended to inform the public about the utility of these products against the emerging pathogen in the most expeditious manner.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. Consumers using these disinfectants on an enveloped emerging virus should follow the directions for use on the product’s master label, paying close attention to the contact time for the product on the treated surface (i.e., how long the disinfectant should remain on the surface).”

View the full EPA list now: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf

To visit EPA’s site directly and read more, visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

Check yourself and protect yourself from radon. January is Radon Action Month, which is a great time to raise awareness about this invisible radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. Radon is the #1 environmental cause of cancer deaths and the #2 cause of lung cancer deaths. Since you can’t smell or see radon, testing your home is the only way to determine if you are living with high levels of this dangerous gas.

Here’s what the EPA has to say about protecting yourself and your family:

“January is national Radon Action Month and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages everyone to test their homes for radon. January is an especially good time to test homes and schools because windows and doors are closed tightly and people spend more time indoors.

Unsafe levels of radon can lead to serious illness. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States with an estimated 21,000 deaths a year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. By making simple fixes in a home or building people can lower their health risks from radon.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas; so testing is the only way to know if radon is present in your home or school. Test kits are available in home improvement centers and hardware stores and costs approximately $20. The kits are simple to use with easy testing and mailing instructions.

Make the commitment to protect your family. Test for radon. Fix the problem if you find elevated radon levels. Save a life!”

Check out helpful links and tips on finding test kits, learning about the health hazards, and even how it can affect your business on EPA’s site here: https://www.epa.gov/radon