Using Candles During Earth Hour? Think Again!

 The Earth Hour 2012 is here. Time to switch off your power and spend an hour in the dark! An hour, can't be that bad can it? Still there are a lot of people out in the world who don't believe or want to or
maybe are just too lazy to do it! Aah, leave it.

 
Earth Hour is usually characterised by a lot of public get-together's and rallies / demonstrations with thousands of people who believe in the notion of lighting candles. What most people fail to realise is that candles are not the ideal substitutes to light bulbs. Although, candles are very nice, provide a nice romantic feel and ambience and stuff, they too pollute the environment when they are burned and produce an assortment of chemical compounds and heat. Its not to say that i'm a Candle hater! No, never. I like candles too.

Although burning 2 or 3 candels won't do as much damage as cars or a nuclear power plant or burning fossil fuels like petrol etc, while in the case of rallies, it is worth noting the fact.
 
Most candels are made from Paraffin which is also a petroleum product making it non renewable. I went through the packaging of one of the locally made candles and guess what i found - Paraffin! Paraffin wax candles produce soot – that black stuff caused from the flickering flame. “When soot is airborne, it is subject to inhalation. The particles can potentially penetrate the deepest areas of the lungs, the lower respiratory tract and alveoli". Not only are people with asthma more susceptible to the effects of burning paraffin wax candles, but also the elderly and children. Science has proven that a child’s tiny body is negatively affected by chronic low-level lead exposure. Burning paraffin wax candles that contain lead wicks is definitely in the category of low-level lead exposure.

The container of a local brand of candles - clearly mentions that it's made of Paraffin Wax

There is also the issue of packaging the same into plastic covers! Burning a few candles may not make for much on the global scale. But switching to environment friendly items such as Beeswax can help us to further the reach and importance of the Earth Hour. Even the WWF official site in its FAQ's section (Question 8) advices Earth Hour enthusiasts to use natural candles!

Beeswax Candles

I hope you don't take my criticism of candles in the wrong sense! 
As the saying goes - Tiny drops of water make a mighty ocean, lets all do our bit, however insignificant or small it might be, to assist in the betterment of our mother earth!

Want to read more about the ill effects of burning candles / studies - go to the following links - they're very helpful!

1. http://www.theredheadriter.com/2012/03/the-truth-about-paraffin-wax-candles-are-they-toxic/
2. http://enochthered.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/earth-hour-candles-and-carbon/
3. http://www.stubbornmule.net/2009/03/burning-candles/
4. http://www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/03/26/environmental-impact-of-candles-during-earth-hour/
5. http://www.alive.com/articles/view/23434/go_beyond_earth_hour
6. http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/2642