It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On
31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off
their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. This massive collective effort
reduced Sydney’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the
equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.
On
29th March 2008 we’re doing it again WorldWide! Friends of the Irish
Environment and the Irsh Light Pollution Awareness Campaign are asking
everyone to do their bit for the environment and turn their lights off
for one hour on March 29th.
In Ireland te event will take place from 9pm to 10pm
rather than from 8-9pm. This is because at Ireland’s latitude it won’t
really be dark by 8pm so in order to see the difference in the night
sky the event will start at 9. Astronomical Societies around the country will be holding events so please be sure to check for details at www.irishastronomy.org/boards.
We need all of you, across the world, not just Ireland, to turn non essential lights off for this hour. Do you really need your porch light on? Does your building really need to be floodlit? And longer term you can think about whether your security lighting is really efficient. Does it allow light to spill above the horizon causing light pollution? Is the bulb too bright for the purpose? Are you using a motion sensor to ensure the light only goes on when needed? Have a look at the Institution of Lighting Engineers document on Domestic Security Lighting to see how best to use security lighting.
Heres what the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Bourke, had to say about Earth Hour when he announced Dublin’s participation:
"Earth Hour is an international campaign and Dublin
is one of the latest cities to get behind this important event where on
March 29th all non-essential lights will be switched off for an hour. This
campaign is important and everyone from citizens up to Government has a
duty to do what they can against global warming. It is up to us all to
do what we can to reduce our CO2 emissions. Through one simple action,
turning off our lights for an hour, we can deliver a powerful message
about the need for action. I am thrilled that as
Dublin Lord Mayor I will be leading our capital city in its
participation in this international event. It was estimated during the
Sydney Earth Hour last night demand for electricity dropped by 10 per
cent. It would be fantastic if we could do the same in Dublin. I would urge businesses and homes to join in and take part in the campaign."
Earth Hour in Ireland is fully supported by the Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign. For further information on the project in Ireland please contact the Friends of the Irish Environment. For global information please visit www.earthhour.org.
Finally here is the promotional video for Earth Hour. Enjoy!