City knocks its lights out for Earth Hour |
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP has said that Earth Hour, which began in Sydney and has now gone global, firmly established Sydneys credentials as a green leader.
"Sydney can become one of the worlds leading green cities. This should be our point of competitive advantage, as we transition to a new green economy. When Earth Hour was first conceived we saw it as much more than a one off event, and much more than symbolism. Earth Hour offers a real opportunity to change peoples thinking and generate long term behavioral changes,"said Ms Moore.
Iconic buildings such as Sydney Town Hall, Customs House, City Recital Hall, the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and 150 other Council buildings will be bathed in darkness during Earth Hour. As Earth Hour gets ready to celebrate its second anniversary, historians at the City of Sydney have discovered a precedent for the event in 1847 gaslights along Sydneys streets were switched off during the full moon.
City of Sydney is a founding partner of Earth Hour and is proudly supporting the global initiative.
Sustainable Sydney 2030, released this week, sets the City a target of a 50 per cent reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions. Initiatives such as Earth Hour and the creation of green power transformers will be crucial to achieving this.
More than 100 commercial tenants in City of Sydney properties have been encouraged to go dark and help reduce their impact on the environment.
Commercial tenants have also been encouraged to do a practice run to make sure they can find all the necessary light switches.
The Citys 1,600 staff members have been asked to unplug all computers and equipment usually left on standby and to do their bit by going dark at home on Saturday night.
A five per cent reduction in power consumption is the target during Earth Hour, but a cut of up to 10 per cent is achievable. EnergyAustralia will monitor consumption levels during the event to work out exactly what reductions are made.
Media enquiries contact Jonathon Larkin 9265 9553 or 0409 045 425
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