Earth Hour
Background
Earth Hour is a global lights-out event coordinated by WWF, the global conservation organization, to bring together people from all over the world in support of action on climate change.
Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia with a simple question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change? WWF Australia asked the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour – and on March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses did just that. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney’s energy consumption by 10.2 per cent for one hour – the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.
Just one year later, Earth Hour reached more than 50 million people in 35 countries across 18 time zones, and the campaign shifted from a Sydney event to a global sustainability movement.
The City of Brampton first participated in Earth Hour in 2008, in partnership with Hydro One Brampton, Region of Peel, and the Peel District and Dufferin-Peel School Boards. That year, the collective efforts of Brampton’s businesses and residents resulted in a 3.2 per cent (13.3 megawatt) reduction in electricity consumption – enough electricity to power more than 4,000 homes during this period.
In 2009, Brampton’s efforts resulted in a 9.3 per cent (38.4 megawatt) reduction in consumption. This is equivalent to removing 31,800 homes from the distribution system during that hour.
We look forward to once again joining with thousands around the world – including residents and businesses right here in Brampton – in support of this powerful global initiative.
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