Sunraysia residents and businesses are encouraged to join millions across the globe in ‘switching off’ to support Earth Hour 2022 this Saturday night.
Earth Hour is the world’s biggest movement to protect the planet, taking in more than 7,000 cities in over 190 countries, asking people to switch off lights for an hour as a powerful symbolic gesture of solidarity in support of the environment.
This year, Earth Hour takes place between 8.30pm and 9.30pm local time on 26 March.
Councillor for Environment and Sustainability Jason Modica said it has never been more important to take part in Earth Hour as Councils raise awareness of the increasing severity of climate change.
“The devastating floods taking place in parts of New South Wales and Queensland are impacting on thousands and do not seem to be taken seriously,” Cr Modica said.
“We also saw the impacts in our own region earlier this year when we experienced our highest daily rainfall on record in January.
“Earth Hour is a powerful symbolic way for people around the globe to show their commitment to protecting our planet.
“It’s something everyone can do as individuals, schools, community groups or businesses.”
Cr Modica said Council would participate by turning off all non-essential lighting at its highest energy-consuming buildings on Saturday night.
“In addition to participating in Earth Hour, Council has continued its ongoing work to reduce electricity consumption in a whole host of ways, most recently through Lighting the Regions Stage 2, which is underway at the moment, replacing our remaining inefficient street lighting to more energy-efficient LEDs,” he said.
“Other measures we’ve taken in response to the climate emergency include continuing to install solar photovoltaic systems on our buildings and facilities and purchasing 100 percent renewable electricity, delivering cost and emissions savings for our organisation and the broader community.”
Families, friends, businesses, schools and community groups across the region can register their own Earth Hour events at www.earthhour.org.au.
