Taking energy conservation to the next level


Yorkregion.com
March 27, 2015

At 8:30 p.m. this Saturday, March 28, thousands will be turning out their lights to celebrate Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a global movement initiated by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness on climate change action and energy conservation.

Although turning the lights out for an hour every year has attracted the attention of millions worldwide, Earth Hour is going beyond the hour to become a vehicle for people to achieve environmental outcomes.

You can also take action beyond the hour.

Now more than ever before, local communities are taking charge of energy supply and demand, generation, and conservation. With improvements in technologies, communities across the province are working to help generate clean energy from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, water, and bioenergy.

Programs such as the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (formally Ontario Power Authority) microFIT initiative are encouraging individual citizens and community groups to generate energy from renewable sources and sell it back to the grid for a guaranteed price. Community micro grids and community energy cooperatives are becoming more commonplace.

If you have questions about the environmental benefits of energy conservation, how to gain cost savings from reduced energy consumption, or want environmental solutions for your daily life; come to Vaughan City Hall Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and tour the Earth Hour Vaughan professional energy conservation exhibit.

Earth Hour Vaughan will also host a lantern walk, night ride cycling, live entertainment, refreshments, and more.

For more information contact environment@vaughan.ca or tweet @City_of_Vaughan with the hashtag #EarthHourVaughan.