Oakville’s Earth Hour participation more than doubled last year

Yorkregion.com
March 21, 2016

More Oakville residents took part in Earth Hour Saturday compared to last year.

Local energy consumption information from Oakville Hydro show electricity demand dropped by 3.7 per cent - more than double the energy savings during 2015’s edition of Earth Hour.

That’s equivalent to turning off about 100,000 60-watt light bulbs, according to Oakville Hydro.

The 2015 energy savings was 1.7 per cent, the smallest Earth Hour contribution Oakville has made since the town began participating in 2008.

In 2014, Oakville dropped its energy consumption by 5.3 per cent, the equivalent of turning off about 160,000 60-watt light bulbs.

“Earth Hour reminds us each year of the importance of conservation,” stated Rob Lister, Oakville Hydro president in a press release. “Conserving energy is vital in Oakville and across the world. Earth Hour is a reminder even the smallest action can make a huge difference.”

Earth Hour is a global event that encourages people, businesses and governments around the world to turn off unnecessary lights and electronics in an effort to conserve power.

It takes place annually on from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on a Saturday near the end of March.

Since it was created by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, it has grown to include 178 countries and territories.

Other cities that took part included Toronto, which saw power use drop by 3.2 per cent - down from 3.5 per cent in the year previously.

For highlights from around the world, visit www.earthhour.org.