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Earth Hour In Bass Coast

Bass Coast Shire Council is encouraging staff, local businesses and the community to take part in Earth Hour on 29 March 2008, between 8pm and 9pm.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 11th March 2008 - Back to News

Earth Hour encourages organisations and individuals to turn off their lights for one hour to send a powerful national and global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, is leading by example.  During Earth Hour he will be hosting a "Dinner Party in the Dark" for family and friends, which he also did for Earth Hour last year.

"Earth Hour is such a great opportunity to be part of a global event," he said.

"Everyone can do something to show their support for the Earth Hour concept, whether it is switching off their non-essential power for an hour or having dinner by candlelight."

Last year’s Earth Hour was a Sydney event, with major landmarks and buildings in the CBD all turning off their lights for one hour.  2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour.  Sydney icons, like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House also turned off their lights.

"Obviously we do not have high rise buildings and we’re not able make the same obvious public statements as the major cities," said Mr Bawden.

"But each of us can do something in our own homes, or neighbourhoods, which will make a difference."

Organisers of Earth Hour have a range of suggestions for how people and organisations might get involved.  These include signing up as a supporter, businesses advertising their support for ‘Earth Hour’, or friends and communities organising their own ‘Earth Hour’ events.  There are plenty of tips and ideas available from their website at www.earthhour.org.

Council will also be using the event to remind their staff of simple power saving actions they can do around the office.

"We’ll be reminding staff to turn off computer screens, printers, copiers and lights when they leave work," said Mr Bawden.

Council has a long-standing commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.  Most recently, this has involved releasing a draft of its Environment Sustainability Plan for public discussion. 

This Plan is just one example of Council’s commitment to caring for the environment.  Other examples include:

-          Member of the Cities for Climate Protection Program since 2004.

-          A Sustainable Public Lighting Action Plan was endorsed by Council in April 2007.  Council received an award from ICLEI (International Council for Local Environment Initiatives) for this plan.

-          A Local Greenhouse Action Plan was adopted on 16 August 2006.  As part of this plan, by 2015, Council is committed to reducing corporate emission to 20% of the 2001 levels.

-          Council is a member of Green Fleet, which plants 17 trees each year for each Council fleet vehicle as a way to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

-          In 2007, Council received a "Special Achievement Award from ECO Buy for purchasing 10.4% more green products than in 2005/06.

For more information on how you can be a part of Earth Hour, visit the website at www.earthhour.org.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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