Wondering How to Participate in Earth Hour? Here Are Some Fun and Simple Suggestions

On Saturday, March 27, 2010 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, Earth Hour will be celebrated around the world. The objective of Earth Hour is to increase public awareness of the need to decrease energy use and to take action against climate change. This can simply be done by turning off unnecessary lights, without compromising safety and security. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative.

Everyone’s participation is important to making Earth Hour a success. Below are some simple suggestions for how residents, schools and businesses can participate:

For Residents:

• Register for Earth Hour at www.EarthHourCanada.org. Share your ideas about how you will be participating by e-mailing the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca. Enter into a draw to win one of two energy-efficiency prizes. Maximum of one prize per household, business or organization. Names will be drawn from the first 100 e-mail entries received by noon on Saturday March 27th, 2010.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and unplug electronic equipment.
• Change your traditional light bulbs to efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Turn down the thermostat.
• Avoid operating major appliances during Earth Hour.
• Enjoy a candlelit dinner with family and friends.
• Play board games.
• Read bedtime stories by flashlight.
• Organize community discussions on environmental issues.
• Take a walk through your neighbourhood. Take advantage of the dark skies and star gaze.
• Commit to energy conservation throughout the year.

For Schools:

• Organize symbolic Earth Hour events on Friday March 26th because schools are closed on Saturday, March 27th.
• Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights, without compromising safety and security.
• Organize environmentally-themed contests for students and teachers.

For Businesses:

• Register for Earth Hour at www.EarthHourCanada.org. Share your ideas about how you will be participating by e-mailing the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca. Maximum of one prize per household, business or organization. Names will be drawn from the first 100 e-mail entries received by noon on Saturday March 27th, 2010.
• Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights (including outdoor signs) and major appliances, without compromising safety and security.
• Promote Earth Hour by displaying Earth Hour posters in store windows and on restaurant tables (e.g. menu inserts, table cards). Contact the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca for a copy of a free poster(s).
• Inform your staff and customers about Earth Hour. Encourage them to participate.
• Reduce energy use. Turn down your thermostat.
• Replace inefficient light bulbs with efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.
• Ahead of Earth Hour, advertise special pricing on energy conservation items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, clotheslines, LED lights, energy meters and programmable thermostats.
• Unplug all electrical equipment (e.g. computers) before leaving for the day on Saturday March 27th and everyday thereafter.
• Consider purchasing green electricity to power your business.
• Post information on Earth Hour on your website.

If you operate a restaurant:

• Offer a special meal or a day’s special at a cost of $8.30 to recognize Earth Hour which begins at 8:30pm.
• Offer a special meal composed of more locally grown ingredients or a meal that does not require a lot of energy to prepare.
• Offer candlelit dinner service.
• If your business cannot participate on Saturday March 27th, consider taking action on Friday March 26th.

So, don’t be afraid of the dark. Remember to turn off your lights and reduce energy use during Earth Hour on Saturday March 27th between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Be creative, have fun and stay safe.

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