Ontario Turns Out Lights For Earth Hour
March 11, 2009 11:53 AM
McGuinty Government Joins Global Event On Climate Change
For the second year, the Ontario government is joining Earth Hour by turning out the lights between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday March 28 in most government buildings.
Earth Hour is a global event to promote energy conservation and send a global message about working together to tackle climate change. The World Wildlife Fund launched the first event in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Since then it has grown into an international campaign with millions of people participating.
Ontario's actions to fight climate change have put it at the forefront with some of the most aggressive measures in North America. Recently, the government introduced the landmark Green Energy Act. If approved, this proposed legislation would lay the foundation for new measures to conserve energy, promote renewable energy projects and create green jobs.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario participated in Earth Hour last year.
- Ontario has set a target of reducing electricity use in government owned buildings by 20 per cent in 2012, having already reduced use by 12 per cent since 2004.
- Ninety-nine per cent of light bulbs in government owned buildings have been replaced with more efficient light bulbs.
LEARN MORE
ontario.ca/environment
"I encourage all Ontarians to turn out the lights for Earth Hour but let's not stop there. We can all make small changes at home and at work to conserve energy and show the world that Ontarians are leading the fight against climate change."
– John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment
"Simple acts can produce grand results. And in this case, we can take from the flick of a switch how important it is to conserve energy and protect the environment."
– Ted McMeekin
Minister of Government Services
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