On Saturday, March 31st at 8:30 p.m. local time, the Township of Esquimalt will join Earth Hour celebrations across British Columbia and around the world by switching off lights to show it is possible to take action on climate change.
In 2011, millions of people in more than 135 countries participated in the symbolic event. In Esquimalt alone, the community’s electricity consumption decreased by 2.25% during the hour-long event. Esquimalt residents and businesses are encouraged to take part again this year by signing up at www.EarthHourCanada.org and turning off lights and unnecessary equipment on March 31st from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Individuals can promote Earth Hour to family, friends and colleagues by putting on a no-lights event such as preparing and eating a no-cook meal, going for a walk, or playing a board game by candlelight. Earth Hour is an opportunity to look around and consider what can be done in your home or workplace year-round to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and supported provincially by BC Hydro. Earth Hour brings attention to the issue of climate change by asking individuals, businesses and governments to turn off their lights for an hour. It began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and in 2008 became a global sustainability movement.
For more information, please contact:
Marlene Lagoa, Sustainability Coordinator
Tel: 250-414-7114