Turn off the light and see the Earth smile

(S.S.) Don’t forget that on March 29, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., you’re invited to turn off you lights to celebrate the Earth Hour. This event is your opportunity to demonstrate your support for the fight against global warming.

The borough’s administration supports this initiative and hopes citizens as well as businesses will participate actively in the event. The administration of Saint-Laurent will also see to it that lights on its administrative buildings are turned off, to the extent that the safety of building users is not compromised.

This is the second edition of the Earth Hour initiative, which originated last year in Australia when the city of Sydney partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to launch the event on March 31, 2007. Some 2.2 million residents of Sydney, as well 2100 businesses, took part in the event. It was subsequently estimated that the collective effort helped reduce electricity use by 10.2%, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 000 metric tons.

For 2008, Sydney has invited other cities around the world to join the movement. More than 15 major cities, including Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Melbourne, Chicago, Copenhagen, Manila and Tel Aviv, have already confirmed their participation.

Taking part in the Earth Hour is a beautiful gesture, but it’s important to remember that eco-responsibility is a daily thing.

(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)