Three community leaders in Campbell River will switch off their lights and take extra steps to save electricity for Earth Hour on Saturday between 8:30 and 9:30 pm.
The City of Campbell River in conjunction with the Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce are encouraging residents to participate in support of climate change action.
Here’s what these community leaders will be doing to celebrate Earth Hour:
Campbell River’s City Manager Andy Laidlaw pledges to turn off his lights and reduce heat consumption for Earth Hour, and emphasizes that this annual event will also serve as a time of reflection on how he can reduce his energy consumption year-round. Fewer vehicle trips are also an important goal for the city manager.
“Another offshoot of Earth Hour is recognizing the impact small steps individuals can take to reduce our global environmental footprint,” says Laidlaw.
Similarly, Ken Blackburn, executive director of the Campbell River Arts Council, pledges to do “all the traditional energy reduction actions and build a temporary driftwood art installment” that celebrates our planet.
Colleen Evans, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says: “For Earth Hour, I will be enjoying the company of friends on a neighbourhood walk that will take us to a couple of our favourite spots for great conversation, shared appetizers and our beeswax candles in tow, to light the way.”
In 2009, Campbell River electricity consumption rose by 1.7 per cent during Earth Hour. Last year, residents responded to the cause and conserved two per cent of the electricity load.
“We hope the community rises to the challenge again and tops last year’s Vancouver Island top-rated conserver Lantzville, where they reduced electricity use by three per cent,” says Mayor Charlie Cornfield. “If Campbell River aims for a 10 per cent reduction, we will have a chance of being the best energy conservers in the province.”
Burns Lake topped the provincial record in 2010 with a seven per cent energy reduction.