What do the Sydney Opera House, Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower, Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, Iron Goat and Banff Springs Hotel have in common?
They are all participating in Earth Hour this Saturday (March 26) at 8:30 p.m. local time to take a stand against climate change.
The Bow Valley Clean Air Society (BVCAS) is encouraging residents to take note of the global participation in the event and turn their lights off for the hour.
“Earth Hour inspires individuals and groups to take action with regards to climate change,” said BVCAS member Karen Kunelius. “We want to keep Canadians aware of the impact on our planet and aware of minimizing their footprint and maximizing their use of sustainable renewable energy sources.”
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for the hour.
In 2010, that number grew to 1.3 billion people around the world and saw a record 128 countries and territories participate – to become the largest voluntary action on record.
That included over 10 million Canadians turning out the lights in over 300 cities and towns.
Locally, hotels like the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis will host a moonlight snow shoe tour, providing each guest with a package that includes seeds and information on energy conservation. Grappa Restaurant will host a candlelit dinner featuring “L’elettricita Libera Menu,” a menu where every dish is produced without the use of electricity.
The Iron Goat in Canmore, along with the Banff Springs Hotel, are also planning to recognize Earth Hour.
Kunelius said Earth Hour is a reminder to turn off lights, but people can do much more to make a difference.
She said, for example, locals have put solar panels on their roofs, bought alternate energy, increased recycling, installed low flush toilets, leave their cars at home and have reduced use of plastic bags.
For more information on Earth Hour, local events or what can be done to fight climate change go to http://wwf.ca/earthhour/
