Ready, Set, OFF !

This Saturday, March 26, more than 6,000 cities across the world will turn off their lights for one hour at 8.30 pm to mark Earth Hour. 

Though representative, Earth Hour can contribute much to reducing our carbon footprint. It is a good initiative to spread awareness about how our lifestyles and energy consumption patterns affect global dynamics and to introduce us to the importance of considering alternate renewable energy resources like solar or wind energy.

In India, 43 cities are participating in the global awareness campaign to support climate change mitigation. Leading the charge will be the country’s brand ambassador for Earth Hour 2011 Vidya Balan, who will appeal to all citizens to switch off non-essential electrical appliances at the designated time. 

Mumbaikars small step is a big leap for mankind!

Earth Hour gained prominence in Mumbai in 2009. The campaign at present has the support of several corporate houses and buildings, including the Nokia Tower, Air India Building, ITC Maratha, Trident Hotel, Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC Bank. Other landmarks where the lights will be switched off are the Gateway, CST administrative building and Bandra-Worli Sea Link. 

Schools and higher education institutes, too, have pledged support to the movement, prominent among them being Mumbai University, IIT Bombay, St Xavier’s College and B N Bandodkar College, Thane. Then there are big residential areas like Godrej Colony (which has around 3,000 houses) and Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. 

23 MW saved in the city during Earth Hour 2009, ensured a three-hour power supply to 25,000 households outside the city. (Nationally, the energy saved was 1,150 MW in 2009 and 900 MW in 2010).