City of Calgary goes dark for Earth Hour
The City of Calgary will join other governments, organizations and citizens around the world in shutting its lights during Earth Hour this weekend. Earth Hour is a worldwide event held Saturday, March 29 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. to raise awareness of how energy use contributes to climate change and to continue the conversation about how to reduce our impact.
The City will turn off non-essential lighting in:
- The Municipal Building and old City Hall;
- Calgary Public Building;
- Manchester Centre Building E;
- Ad Valorem Place;
- Whitehorn Multi-Services Centre; and
- All fire stations.
“We are asking all Calgarians to do what The City is doing...to make a visible show of support that you’re committed to lessening your environmental impact,” said Claire Beckstead, an Environmental Specialist with The City of Calgary. “It’s not about one hour. It’s about saying ‘I’m on board’ when it comes to doing our part to save energy and to reduce our impact on the environment.”
Beckstead hopes that in addition to turning out the lights, Calgarians will also use Earth Hour to turn off digital devices and ‘go unplugged’. “This hour provides the opportunity for people to reconnect with their family and friends, and to have a conversation about what environmental actions each of us can take to make lasting changes – beyond just one hour every year.”
A list of things homeowners can do to save energy is available at www.calgary.ca/saveenergy.
As an environmental steward, The City continues to make progress towards its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, to reduce GHG emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. Some of the work underway at The City includes piloting the use of LED streetlights, moving to LED lighting in City buildings and properties and using alternative fuel and fleet technologies.
For more information on other Earth Hour actions in Calgary and around the world, visit www.earthhour.org.
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