Town of Halton Hills Will Once Again Participate in Earth Hour

With unanimous Council support, the Town of Halton Hills will once again join other communities in Canada and around the world in participating in Earth HourTM by turning off any unnecessary lights. The objective of Earth Hour is to have as many individuals, businesses, organizations and governments participating as possible. Earth Hour registration is available at www.EarthHourCanada.org.

Earth Hour 2009 will be celebrated on Saturday, March 28, 2009 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Its objective is to increase public awareness of the need to decrease energy use and to take action against climate change. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative.

In 2008, approximately 50 million people from across 370 cities/towns and 35 countries participated in Earth Hour. Canadians participated in large numbers, with about 10 million Canadians from over 150 cities/municipalities participating. The goal for Earth Hour 2009 is to involve one billion people from 1000 cities.

In 2008, the Halton Hills community collaborated to make Earth Hour a success. This collaboration demonstrated the community’s commitment to protecting the environment, and showed that it is possible to take meaningful action against climate change. This collaboration resulted in a 9.4% reduction in energy use, ranking the Town fourth among other GTA municipalities.

Speaking about Earth Hour, Mayor Bonnette said: “Last year, our community collaborated to make Earth Hour a success. This year, we hope to do the same by demonstrating that it is possible to take meaningful local action against climate change. The participation of our residents, businesses and community organizations is key to achieving our goal.

Participation in Earth Hour will build on the Town’s Green Plan and continue to move all of us towards sustainability. It is urgent that we all act now.”

This year, the Town will implement several new initiatives for Earth Hour, including:

• Turning off all non-essential lights at all Town facilities during Earth Hour, without jeopardizing public safety and security, and interrupting regular service.
• Hosting a free and fun ‘Star Gazing Party’ at the Cedarvale Community Centre on Saturday March 28th between 8:30pm and 10pm. This will include an indoor presentation titled “Wonders of the Night Sky”, followed by an outdoor telescope viewing session using three large telescopes (weather permitting). In case of cloudy skies, a presentation will be offered indoors simulating a night sky. Space is limited, so please RSVP with the Office of Sustainability at 905.873.2601 ext. 2290 or at jennifers@haltonhills.ca.
• Engaging the business community to participate by promoting Earth Hour to their employees and customers, by offering special Earth Hour menus and advertising special pricing on energy conservation items such as compact fluorescent lightbulbs, clotheslines, LED lights, energy meters and thermostats.
• Encouraging Earth Hour registration by drawing for an ‘Earth Hour Gift Basket(s)’. These gift basket(s) may include such things as a programmable thermostat, energy meter and CFL bulbs.
• Purchasing green power from Bullfrog Power, a green electricity provider, to offset a portion of the Town’s energy use during Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is a symbolic event and it alone will not reverse climate change.
Nonetheless, Earth Hour is a high profile opportunity to demonstrate that people
working together can make a difference on climate change.

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