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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Island to go dark for Earth Hour

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Between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, all unnecessary lights will go out, while events marking the occasion take place outside Hamilton's City Hall.Greenrock President Judith Lansberg said the international event is aimed at demonstrating that everyone can make a difference in the fight against global climate change.“This is the tough situation that we find ourselves in, but human beings are extraordinarily resourceful, particularly when we tackle something together,” Dr Lansberg said. “Earth Hour is about getting together. It is about the power of each person.“You can stretch out your finger to turn out your lights and by doing that, join hundreds of millions of people around the planet who believe that we can confront the problem of global climate change, and that by acting together we can make a difference.”Dr Lansberg said climate change is a direct threat to the Bermudian way of life, but the Island's greenhouse emissions and energy use can be addressed.She noted the Energy White Paper, which called for electricity consumption to be reduced by 30 percent by 2020, along with an increased reliance on renewable sources and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.“Other countries are well on their way to meeting similar targets. We ask the government to recommit to these goals, and we commit to support them,” she said.Minister of Economic Development Grant Gibbons said the initiative is consistent with Government's commitment to encourage energy efficiency and conservation.“Individuals and organisations that actively seek to save energy can reduce energy costs, promote economic security, and improve their bottom line,” Dr Gibbons said.“By turning off all non-essential lighting controlled by the City of Hamilton, Dockyard and St George's during Earth Hour 2013, we are showing our commitment to basic everyday solutions for conserving energy.“Our wish, and indeed our challenge, is to increase the level of commitment to energy conservation and intelligent energy use within our community and to start focusing on simple changes that we can include in our everyday lives.”The Earth Day event at City Hall begins at 5pm, and will include a green living expo, environmental movies and discussions, a city market and a glow-in-the-dark fun run.He invited the public to take part by either joining in the celebration, or by turning off lights and unnecessary electronics between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.