20 March 2013
Islanders are being urged to join millions of people worldwide who will be turning their lights off on Saturday 23 March 2013 as part of Earth Hour.
The World Wildlife Fund is holding its annual Earth Hour on 23 March between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm. Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the environmental event.
Department of the Environment Eco-Active Programme Manager, Jane Burns, said “As well as urging Islanders to take part in this event in their own homes, we’re also asking local businesses to get involved. Barclays Wealth is one company which is supporting the initiative in their Jersey offices and across the world. They are also encouraging all their staff to be involved at home.”
The States of Jersey will also be taking part in the initiative.
Eco-Active States Project Officer Debbie Rowland explained “As part of our on-going work to reduce our energy consumption, we are supporting Earth Hour. All States departments have been encouraged to switch off unnecessary lights and electrical items. Fort Regent’s dome lighting is being switched off and Transport and Technical Services is also switching off the lights at Mont Orgueil and Elizabeth Castle, and the Victoria Avenue Promenade for the hour.”
In 2012, Earth Hour inspired 6,950 towns and cities in 152 countries across the world to switch lights off for an hour to express concern about climate change.