Municipalities join the Earth Hour movement
By Chris Simon

Several local municipalities and schools will join millions of people around the planet and participate in Earth Hour later this month.

That includes the Town of Innisfil, whose staff will dim lights at the new administration building, turn off the facility's outdoor sign, advertise the event on the municipality's webpage and formally register for the event.

"I was hoping we'd support this," said mayor Brian Jackson. "We're turning down our lights to show support."

The town joins the County of Simcoe, Penetanguishene, the provincial government and the Simcoe County District School Board, who have already publicly declared involvement in the event. The Earth Hour project asks communities and people across the world to reduce the amount of energy they use during a one hour timeframe Saturday, beginning at 8 p.m. The goal is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that enters the Earth's atmosphere, and bring awareness on the need for energy conservation.

Organizers also hope to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change, by getting as many individuals, businesses and communities as possible to turn their lights out for one hour.

"It's a symbolic and important gesture to make," said councillor Lynn Dollin laughing. "My only quip would be that with all of the little issues we've had with this building, once we turn the lights off, I hope we can get them back on again."

In 2007, the Earth Hour initiative started in Sydney, Australia as a way to inspire people to take action on climate change. An estimated 2.2 million people and more than 2,100 Sydney-based businesses switched off their lights for one hour. Statistics indicate that if the greenhouse reduction achieved in Sydney during Earth Hour was sustained for one year, it would represent the equivalent of removing over 48,600 cars from roadways for one year.

Inspired by the collective efforts of Sydney residents and businesses, many cities and regions around the world have signed up to participate in the 2008 movement. As awareness of this campaign to reduce the impact on climate change continues to grow, the county encourages residents, businesses and other municipalities to join in this event.

"What a great opportunity this is for the county and all residents to participate in something worthy of our planet," said warden Tony Guergis.

"I have initiated this endeavour at the county because, as elected officials, we all strive to have a positive impact on our environment and in this case, no impact is a positive impact.

"I want to persuade residents, businesses and other levels of government to take up this challenge and help us make a difference. We all need to find the motivation to join in this simple yet clearly effective way to lessen the burden on the Earth."

County staff will participate by powering down all non-essential lighting in their Midhurst administration centre, with the exception of safety lighting.

At the school board, staff at various facilities will be turning off lights for one hour on Friday, one day before the actual event, beginning at 2 p.m.

"This is a chance for the (board) to take action by reducing energy consumption while spreading the message of conservation," said Kayla Secord, environmental systems coordinator at the board.

"Many schools and (board) facilities have already signed on for this initiative. It's an exciting way to get the entire board involved in energy conservation."

Residents can register at www.earthhour.org. Signing-up will help track how how many people are participating in the event this year.