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News Archives - March 2009
Switching off for Earth Hour
There will be candle-lit dinners a-plenty this Saturday as resorts across the Maldives switch off their lights to mark Earth Hour along with 84 countries and 2,848 cities, towns and municipalities around the world.
Huvafen Fushi resort will be shutting off all non-essential power and lighting to demonstrate its commitment to Earth Hour, educate its staff about the importance of energy saving and to send out a message to guests that global warming is being taken seriously.
Over at both Four Seasons resorts, guests will be dining beneath the stars while Soneva Fushi will be offering guests the opportunity to star-gaze and learn about the universe with the resort’s resident astronomy students at the Observatory.
In the capital city, Male’, Mohamed Zahir, director general at the ministry of housing, transport and environment, urged both members of the public and business to turn off their lights and all non-essential appliances to raise awareness about climate change.
Security forces will be patrolling the streets of the capital, Male’, to ensure there are no disturbances during the event.
The cabinet decided yesterday that in addition to observing Earth Hour, Male’ will become pedestrianised between 4pm and midnight on the following day.
Earth Hour, which is being organised by WWF, one of the world’s largest conservation organisations, will be the first global election between Earth and global warming.
The organisation is aiming to reach a target of 1 billion votes, which will presented to leaders at the Global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen.
Earth Hour first began in Sydney two years ago, when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned off their lights for one hour.
In 2008, the movement mushroomed and 50 million people world-wide switched off their lights; landmarks such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Colosseum and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square, New York, were all enveloped in darkness.
President Mohamed Nasheed announced plans for the Maldives to go carbon-neutral within a decade earlier this month by switching to renewable energies and offsetting carbon emissions.
The decision was made amid warnings by scientists that the rise in sea levels caused by climate change could swamp the low-lying island nation.
This Saturday 28 March between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, it is your chance to Vote Earth. Your light switch is your vote. Choose wisely.
What does Earth hour ask people to do?
* Switch off unused lights
* Switch unused appliances off standby
* Switch to energy efficient light bulbs
* Reduce use of hot water
What does Earth hour ask businesses to do?
* Replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs
* Be more efficient with heating and cooling – turn down the thermostat
* Reduce use of hot water
* Turn off lights and computers outside working hours
* Educate your staff and colleagues on energy efficiency
Source: Minivannews
