Halton Hills Successfully Celebrates Earth HourTM

For the sixth year in a row, the Town, our residents, businesses, schools and other organizations collaborated to celebrate the global Earth Hour event, focusing on energy conservation and fighting climate change. Together, we have demonstrated our commitment to energy conservation and to promoting awareness about climate change. Every year, Earth Hour is a practical action that all of us can take in support of a more sustainable future and higher quality of life. Once again, I am proud of our community’s achievements and our 5.23% energy reduction.

The objective of Earth Hour is to bring awareness to climate change and the need to protect the environment. Earth Hour is no longer just about turning the lights off for an hour. Instead, it is an opportunity to promote year-round conservation, and the importance of taking long-lasting steps that benefit the health of our planet.

In 2013, with the growing support of numerous local businesses, schools, residents, organizations, and Town and Halton Hills Hydro staff, during Earth Hour, energy consumption decreased by 5.23% or 3,157 kWh. This is enough electricity to power approximately 2,840 homes for an hour! Since first participating in Earth Hour in 2008, the community has saved enough electricity to power about 20,040 average homes for one hour! The 5.23% reduction for Earth Hour 2013 is an important increase over the 3.9% reduction achieved in 2012.

Throughout Halton Hills, Earth Hour participants included students from local schools (e.g. St. Joseph School, Robert Little School and Gardiner Public School), residents, businesses and organizations. Many of these shared how they will celebrate Earth Hour by writing down their suggestions on posters of stars. For a limited time, these posters will be on display at Town Hall. Many businesses throughout Town supported Earth Hour and displayed Earth Hour posters.

In addition, about 200 residents enjoyed a very successful family star gazing presentation on March 23, 2013, and explored the night sky through high powered telescopes. Special thanks to everyone involved in the success of this event, including Halton Hills Hydro, Saputo and Gardiner Public School.

According to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), across Ontario, Earth Hour translated into a 2.7% or 448 megawatts electricity reduction, more than the average peak energy needs of a city the size of Burlington.

According to an Earth Hour media release, Earth Hour 2013 was celebrated in over 7,000 cities, towns and municipalities around the world. Over 150 countries and territories participated.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event, but it alone will not reverse climate change. Therefore, this year, take steps to go beyond the hour, by embracing a green lifestyle throughout the year. For useful conservation tips, visit: www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability and www.haltonhillshydro.com

Additional information on the Town’s sustainability initiatives is available via:

• Website: www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ImagineHH or @ImagineHH

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineHaltonHills

Ideas for Celebrating Earth HourTM

HALTON HILLS – Earth HourTM is fast approaching. On Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Earth Hour will be celebrated around the world.
The objective of Earth Hour is to increase public awareness of the need to decrease energy use and to take action against climate change. Earth Hour is no longer just about turning the lights off for an hour. Instead, it is an opportunity to promote year-round conservation and long-lasting actions that benefit the health of our planet. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative.
Reflecting on the importance of Earth Hour, Mayor Bonnette said:
“Everyone, including our residents, schools and businesses, can take simple steps to reduce their energy use and help address climate change. I encourage everyone to celebrate Earth Hour on March 23rd and throughout the year. Everyone’s participation is important to once again making Earth Hour a success.
Last year, more than 7,000 municipalities in 152 countries and territories worldwide switched off their lights to participate in the largest climate campaign ever! Halton Hills was one of these communities.
I am very proud of the fact that, since first participating in Earth Hour, together, our community has saved enough electricity to power a about 17,200 homes for one hour!”

Below are some simple suggestions for how residents, schools and businesses can participate:

For Residents:
• Visit the Halton Hills Library in Georgetown or Acton and share how you will celebrate Earth Hour. Write your ideas down on a star and glue it onto the large poster.

• Bring the family to an exciting, fun and free star gazing event hosted by the Town of Halton Hills and Gardiner Public School. The event is sponsored by Halton Hills Hydro. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of Saputo. The event is open to the public. Due to limited space pre-registration is required. Please contact 905.873.2601 ext. 2290 or jennifers@haltonhills.ca

• Turn off any unnecessary lights and electronics without compromising safety.

• Change your traditional light bulbs to much more efficient compact fluorescent lights or LED bulbs.

• Turn down the thermostat.

• Avoid operating major appliances during Earth Hour.

• Enjoy a candlelit dinner with family and friends.

• Read bedtime stories by flashlight.

• Organize community discussions on environmental issues.

• Commit to energy conservation throughout the year.

For Schools:

• Organize symbolic Earth Hour events on Friday March 22nd since schools are closed on Saturday, March 23rd.
• Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights, without compromising safety and security.
• Organize environmentally-themed contests and activities for students and teachers.

For Businesses:
• Browse the Earth Hour website for ideas as to how your business can participate: www.EarthHourCanada.org

• Post information on Earth Hour on your website. Electronic banners can be downloaded from www.EarthHourCanada.org

• Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights (including outdoor signs) and major appliances, without compromising safety and security.

• Promote Earth Hour to your employees and customers by displaying Earth Hour posters in store windows and on restaurant tables (e.g. menu inserts, table cards). Contact the Office of Sustainability at 905-873-2601 ext. 2290 for a copy of a free poster(s).

• Inform your staff and customers about Earth Hour. Encourage them to participate.

• Reduce energy use. Turn down your thermostat.

• Replace inefficient light bulbs with much more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) lights or LED bulbs.

• Ahead of Earth Hour, advertise special pricing on energy conservation items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, clotheslines, LED lights, energy meters and programmable thermostats.

• Unplug electrical equipment (e.g. computers) before leaving for the day on Saturday March 23rd and everyday thereafter.

• Consider purchasing green electricity to power your business.
• If you operate a restaurant:

*  Offer a special meal or a day’s special to recognize Earth Hour which begins at 8:30 p.m.
*  Offer a special meal composed of more locally grown ingredients or a meal that does not require a lot of energy to prepare.

o Offer candlelit dinner service.

• If your business cannot participate on Saturday March 23rd, consider taking action on Friday March 22nd.

So, don't be afraid of the dark! Remember to turn off your lights and reduce energy use during Earth Hour on Saturday March 23rd between

8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Be creative, have fun and stay safe!

Additional information on the Town’s sustainability initiatives is available via:

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ImagineHH or @ImagineHH

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineHaltonHills