Manitobans are encouraged to join communities around the world in celebrating international Earth Hour 2011, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced.
Earth Hour is a campaign to turn off lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening as a symbol of taking action against climate change.
“Turning off lights for one hour is a small thing but it symbolizes how, when each of us makes small changes in our lifestyles, we can make big changes collectively in the amount of energy we use,” Blaikie said. “It also reminds us that there are other small things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. We can park the car once in awhile and walk, take the bus or ride a bike to work.”
The minister noted that when Manitobans save energy on lighting, they free up clean hydroelectrical power for export. This clean power will replace fossil fuels in other jurisdictions.
Originating in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, the Earth Hour campaign has since gained global attention.
The Manitoba government will turn off interior lights in designated provincial buildings across the province for Earth Hour.
More information can be found at www.earthhour.org where individuals can sign up to participate at home.
Manitobans are encouraged to switch their lights to energy-efficient bulbs and turn off lights when leaving a room as a way to make Earth Hour a part of their everyday lives.
