Vaughan may go dark for Earth Hour, but residents have chance to shine

Yorkregion.com
March 13, 2014

Turning off your lights for one hour may seem like a small environmental act when compared to the scope of the challenge that climate change presents.

But that small act, when replicated by millions - perhaps one day billions - of people around the globe serves as a resounding statement of support for collective action on climate change.

A grassroots movement that began in March 2007 in Australia, Earth Hour has now become the single-largest community-led initiative for energy conservation in the world.

Little did the residents, businesses and local governments of Australia know that their symbolic act of turning off their lights for one hour would, years later, be replicated in more than 7,000 communities in 153 countries, crossing seven continents.

Hosted by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is now an annual event.

Here in Canada, more than 13 million Canadians participated in Earth Hour last year.

That’s 13 million voices advocating for a better future for our nation and our global environment. Offering us the opportunity to shine, Earth Hour allows each of us to take action in our local communities in the pursuit of a more sustainable way of life.

Powering the movement

Now more than ever before, communities are powering the energy conservation movement.

Leveraging renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind, water and bio-energy, citizens are generating energy and selling it back to the grid as part of the Ontario Power Authority’s microFIT initiative.

At home and at work, individuals are taking simple energy conservation actions such as switching regular light bulbs for Light-Emitting Diodes or LEDs, swapping air conditioners for a ceiling fans, weather-stripping, programing thermostats, and buying energy-efficient appliances and equipment. The power is in our hands.

Vaughan flips the switch

Here in Vaughan, Earth Hour has been celebrated for the past six years.

Last year’s Earth Hour event attracted more than 400 people and when Vaughan City Hall, local businesses, institutions and homes flipped the switch and went dark for Earth Hour, PowerStream reported 27 megawatts of energy savings. That’s enough energy to power 817 average-sized homes for 24 hours.

Vaughan will go dark again this year for the 2014 Earth Hour Vaughan event March 29.

The event, starting at 6:30 p.m., will feature a variety of environmental activities and excitement for all ages.

Beyond the customary lights out hour, the Earth Hour Vaughan event will also include a professional energy conservation exhibit, offering Vaughan residents energy technologies, conservation tips and environmental solutions for the home and workplace.

Vaughan high school students will go head-to-head competing in an environmental Jeopardy game.

Local cyclists will embark on a cycling night ride and local environmental group Vaughan C.A.R.E.S. will lead a guided lantern walk throughout neighbourhoods adjacent to Vaughan City Hall.

Entertainment acts, refreshments, prizes, and more will delight Vaughan visitors in this night of collective action for energy conservation.

GET CONNECTED:

The 7th annual Earth Hour Vaughan celebration will be held Saturday, March 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive.

This fun-filled evening will be a night of collective action for energy conservation and will feature a professional energy conservation exhibit, lantern-making, a secondary school environmental Jeopardy game, an outdoor lantern walk, cycling night ride, entertainment acts, refreshments, prizes and much more. Remember to bring a lantern or flashlight, a reusable mug and to dress warmly.

To register for the night cycling ride, contact vaughanbug@gmail.com

For more information, please visit earthhourvaughan.ca or contact the Vaughan Earth Hour Committee c/o Jamie Maynard by email at maynard.insurance@on.aibn.com.