(PR.co.nz) The Dunedin Earth Hour Steering Group is co-ordinating the South Island’s main Earth Hour event with a free, powered-down celebration in the Octagon on Saturday 27 March. Earth Hour is an annual, worldwide event that sees hundreds of millions of people worldwide turn off their lights for just one hour, with the aim of illustrating how big changes can be achieved through small actions.
Mayor Peter Chin will host an hour of entertainment and family fun in the Octagon from 8.30 – 9.30pm, including fire juggling, fire sculptures, acoustic music, and floating candles and lanterns. The Octagon will be bathed in a gentle glow as cafes and bars turn out their lights and put on a candlelit dining experience. All other lighting in the area, including street and building lighting, will also be turned off.
The Earth Hour Steering Group is encouraging the wider Dunedin community to get involved and turn off lights at home and work.
Sarah Weller, DCC Sustainability Co-ordinator says “Turning off lights for an hour in support of international action on climate change is a small gesture, but it counts. Last year, my family had a candlelit dinner at home, and the kids loved it so much we have carried on doing it. It would be great if Earth Hour had a similar lasting effect on other families in our city too.”
The Steering Group’s partner organisations are the Dunedin City Council, Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago, Otago District Health Board, MoreFM, International Science Festival, Sustainable Dunedin City and Volunteer Otago.
Contact details
Media Release 19 March 2010 from Dunedin City Council.