Environment Minister Mary Polak is encouraging individuals and
businesses throughout the province to participate in Earth Hour 2014 by
powering down between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014.
"Participating in Earth Hour is a simple way for British Columbians to
conserve energy while saving costs," said Polak. "To demonstrate our
government's ongoing climate action efforts, the Jubilee Lights at the
Parliament Buildings in Victoria will be shutting off for the sixth year
in a row in addition to the many provincial government offices that
regularly power off non-essential lights and electronics after hours."
During last year's Earth Hour, the province saved 136 megawatt hours of
electricity and reduced the provincial electricity load by 1.95% - the
equivalent of turning off more than 10 million 12.5 watt LED light bulbs.
British Columbia communities started off strong with Comox and Courtenay
leading the highest reduction in energy use at nearly 10%.
This year, two Canadian Earth Hour City finalists - Surrey and the City
of North Vancouver - received a special mention from World Wildlife
Fund's (WWF) jury of experts for their ambitious efforts to boost
renewable energy and reduce carbon footprints.
Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement organized by the World
Wildlife Fund to raise awareness about harmful climate change effects.
Starting in Sydney, Australia as a one hour lights-off event, the
movement has grown to engage more than 7000 cities worldwide encouraging
individuals and businesses to take a symbolic stance in support of
climate change action.
Quick Facts:
According to the World Wildlife Funds
* Earth Hour 2013 took place in more than 7000 cities and towns in 154
countries and territories across world. The campaign experienced its
biggest growth since 2009.
* Key international landmarks participating in 2013:
* The Tokyo Tower
* The Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and Red Square in Russia
* The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in London
* The Eiffel Tower in Paris
* The Grand Palace and Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand
* The top five B.C. communities for this year's Earth Hour were Comox,
Courtenay, North Sannich, Sidney and Qualicum.
* The total provincial energy savings from Earth Hour participation since
2008 is 500.27 megawatt hours of electricity - the equivalent of turning
off 40 million 12.5 watt LED light bulbs.
Learn More:
* BC Hydro's Power Smart: www.bchydro.com/powersmart
* LiveSmart BC: www.livesmartbc.ca
* WWF Earth Hour Canada website: www.wwf.ca/earthhour/
* BC Hydro's Earth Hour Page: www.bchydro.com/earthhour