Switching off lights just a start
|Published
LIGHTS OUT: Rio de Janeiro's Arcos da Lapa after lights were turned off for Earth Hour last year. Countries around the world will switch off their lights tomorrow to save electricity. LIGHTS OUT: Rio de Janeiro's Arcos da Lapa after lights were turned off for Earth Hour last year. Countries around the world will switch off their lights tomorrow to save electricity.
Last year, South Africans saved 350 megawatts of energy – enough electricity to power Mangaung in the Free State for a day. This year, the 49MW campaign is challenging the nation to save even more power as people prepare to do their bit to save the planet.
Tomorrow marks Earth Hour, an international campaign organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) aimed at raising awareness around the need to take action against the effects of climate change.
Households and businesses are encouraged to turn off all non-essential lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm tomorrow.
This year’s campaign, dubbed “I will if you will”, is making use of an online platform to encourage people to share their personal dares in a challenge to ask the world: What are you willing to do to save the planet?
Freshlyground’s Simon Atwell has challenged 1 000 fans of the band to do their bit and get fit in the process by pledging to cycle to work for a month.
In turn, Atwell will ride to band practice for a month. “I love cycling and see it as a means to decrease society’s carbon footprint. I believe every contribution, no matter how big or small, will contribute to saving our Earth,” he said.
Water shortages in Africa are among Heart FM DJ Saskia Falken’s greatest concerns. She is challenging 1 000 people to commit to saving water by taking five-minute showers. “If the next world war is going to be about water, I want to urge everyone to do all they can to stop it. Use water wisely, save some for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said.
Following on from the COP 17 climate change talks held in Durban last year, this year’s WWF-SA official Earth Hour event will be held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Memorial Tower Building. Local musician Madala Kunene, aka King of the Zulu guitar, is set to perform at a candlelit concert with Vishen Kemraj and Mduduzi Magwaza. - The Star