Earth calling Bermuda! Earth calling Bermuda!

Want to change the world but don't have much time in your busy schedule? Well now is your chance. At 8 p.m. on March 29 for one hour, the people of Bermuda are being urged to "turn out the lights".

By taking part in Earth Hour, Islanders will be joining a global movement to unite against climate change. The event is a World Wildlife Fund initiative to raise awareness of global warming by reducing carbon emissions for just one hour.

If Bermuda joins in the wave of darkness sweeping around the world, it will be the first Atlantic island to do so.

Organiser Rammy Smith said: "We want to get everyone interested. The Ministry of Energy and Belco are interested but we want to do it right in Bermuda by getting everyone involved."

Earth Hour began last year in Sydney, Australia, when more than two million people and thousands of businesses turned out their lights. Power consumption dropped more than ten percent in that hour — the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour.

This year, millions of people around the world are expected to join in. So far, 25 cities in seven countries have pledged their participation. They include Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco, Toronto, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv. Community groups, local businesses and individuals around the world are also taking part.

The World Wildlife Fund aims to "start a wave of change that alters the course of climate change", through inspiring individuals and businesses to take practical action to reduce their carbon footprint.

In Bermuda, if we switch off our lights we can save energy and so cut down on the greenhouse gases which cause global warming.

Andrew Vaucrosson, president of sustainable development group Greenrock, said: "We would like to encourage everyone to participate in Earth Hour to demonstrate to the world that Bermuda, as a global citizen, wants to do its part in minimising our impact on global warming.

"Bermuda - we can do this and it will only take one hour of your time. This is a simple activity that everyone can do right at home, and business owners can also participate.

"Please join us in making a small difference and helping us to achieve our goal of 'Changing the Mindset' in Bermuda when it comes to making sustainable lifestyle choices. This is one small example of how each of us in Bermuda can become more responsible global citizens collectively, by just turning off our lights."

The Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Rose Society, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Garden Club of Bermuda, Bermuda Audubon Society, Bermuda Zoological Society, Pesticides Focus Group and the ECO Environmental Coalition are also encouraging the public to take part.

For more information on Earth Hour visit: www.earthhour.orgp