Time to switch off
For one hour on Saturday evening, March 31, if all goes to plan, Powell River will be in total darkness as the community turns off the lights and unites with millions protecting the planet during Earth Hour.
An initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, and supported provincially by BC Hydro, Earth Hour began in Australia in 2007 and spread quickly across more than 135 countries over the next four years. In 2011 hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments switched off their lights for 60 minutes, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time.
In 2008, City of Powell River joined the Earth Hour initiative and pledged to turn off the lights at city hall and the public works yard, raising awareness and support for action on climate change.
Each year, the city has made the same commitment, and on March 15 council passed a motion to support the Earth Hour 2012 initiative by turning off the lights at city facilities where practical and to encourage the community to participate in Earth Hour to be part of the global effort to fight climate change.
Turning out the lights for 60 minutes is one simple measure people can take to make a difference. This small action can lead to a reduction in power consumption. In 2010 Powell River reduced its power consumption by 1.7 per cent, more than the provincial average of 1.04 per cent. The local percentage was lower in 2011 at 0.69 per cent, while provincially it grew to 1.8 per cent.
This year, organizers hope Beyond the Hour catches on, a commitment to lasting action on climate change started in 2011. With the power of social networks, people can challenge each other to turn off lights and pull the plug on unnecessary electrical appliances not just for one hour on the last Saturday in March, but every hour of every day.
More than saving power, Earth Hour shows how a simple idea can lead to a world community united in the quest to fight climate change.
Readers can visit the Earth Hour website for more information.
Fitness day
Both City of Powell River council and Powell River Regional District board of directors have endorsed MP John Weston’s call to make the first Saturday in June a national fitness day.
Weston, who represents West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, has been writing to local governments throughout the riding, asking for support to proclaim June 2 National Health and Fitness Day. He is also asking them to open the doors of their recreation facilities for free or at a reduced rate to entice people into a healthier lifestyle.
City council passed a resolution at the March 1 meeting supporting the initiative. However, council has not made a decision about waiving or reducing fees at Powell River Recreation Complex on the day.
The regional board adopted the motion supporting the initiative at its March 22 meeting.
Weston’s idea has had support from other local governments in the riding, including the District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons and Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Weston hopes to pass the proclamation in Parliament in the near future.
