Raising Awareness: Earth Hour 2012

Acting Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Michael Weeks and Greenrock President Judith Landsberg held a press conference this morning [Mar.8] regarding Earth Hour 2012.

“It is my pleasure to be here today to inform the public of Bermuda’s planned involvement in Earth Hour 2012 on March 31st and to invite island-wide participation from all sectors of the community,” said Minister Weeks.

Minister Weeks and Greenrock President Judith Landsberg:

Minister Weeks continued on to say, “This event is aligned with the policies of the Energy White Paper and support of this event highlights the need to change our current energy consumption practices. Support for Earth Hour is also consistent with Government’s commitment to reduce Bermuda’s reliance on fossil fuel, which is found in the Government’s Sustainable Development Plan.

“This global event is led locally by the non-governmental organization Greenrock. Their untiring work will allow Bermuda to celebrate Earth Hour on a national level. Thanks must also be given to the Department of Energy and the Sustainable Development Department for their organizational efforts towards ensuring the continued success of this event.

“Last year all seven continents joined in turning off the lights – surpassing the more than 128 countries and territories that recognized the event in 2010.

“This symbolic event sends a message to the world that Bermuda is aware of the harmful effects of global warming caused by the consumption of fossil fuels and the production of carbon dioxide and that we are willing to seek solutions.

“Electricity consumption has increased in Bermuda by 35% since 1985 and electricity generation is 57% of Bermuda’s emissions. These facts must be a wake-up call to our island. We need to change our consumption habits.

“Our wish, and indeed our challenge, is to increase the level of commitment to Earth Hour within our local community and to start focusing on changes that we can include in our everyday living beyond the hour.

“So, on Saturday, March 31st we wish to invite all of Bermuda’s residents to participate in this global event and turn off all non-essential electric powered items for one hour starting at 8:30pm, and to do the same at work and school before leaving for the weekend.

“We also encourage you to take the time to relax and build relationships with family and/or friends. For example, why not read a good book or play board games by the fireplace? Candle-lit dinner parties or a walk after supper are also enjoyable options.

“To assist in the awareness effort for this event the Earth Hour Council members have planned numerous school visits which aim to inform Bermuda’s youth about Earth Hour. Bermuda’s school children will be learning about the event through the Earth Hour 2012 School Roadshow. The hope is that children will take home what they learned in the classroom and share it with their families.

“Additionally, students have been encouraged to enter an essay contest to write about how they personally keep Bermuda green. Students have the opportunity to win prizes for themselves and their schools. The judges will be representatives from the Bermuda Youth Library and the Earth Hour Council.

“All of us need to know the importance of the unsustainable path Bermuda is on with our current energy consumption pattern. We need to protect our natural scenic environment which is a major attraction of tourist and international business.

“Government’s support for this event should be seen as another step towards leading the effort to change our current consumption practices.

“The Premier, along with my Cabinet colleagues fully support this initiative and we invite the whole country to participate in Earth Hour 2012 and to let this be the start of a sustained effort to conserve our energy usage beyond the hour,” concluded Minister Weeks.

#EarthHour #Greenrock

Category: All, Environment