The clock has started. Today, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. local time, people around the world will turn off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances for one hour as part of Earth Hour.

To show its support, the provincial government will turn off the legislature's outdoor lights and monitors and equipment in government buildings will be shut down.

All British Columbians and B.C. businesses are encouraged to take part and demonstrate behaviour changes that lower energy consumption and support B.C.'s response to climate change.

In addition to flicking the switch, you can pledge support by hanging a BC Hydro Power Smart poster in your window to let neighbours know you will be participating in Earth Hour. You can have a family or workplace conversation about conservation - discuss ways to save energy and reduce waste year-round.

Better yet, take it to new heights by having that conversation in view of your community's skyline as the lights go out. And go beyond the hour: switch to CFL light bulbs, use cold water to wash your clothes, buy energy-efficient appliances and connect with free social apps like this one: www.beyondthehour.org/

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Hosted globally by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), last year's Earth Hour saw provincewide electrical power consumption drop during those 60 minutes by one per cent, equivalent to turning off about 1.4 million lights.

Why It Matters:

Conserving electricity is an important step in response to climate change. BC Hydro reports if everyone who participated last year turned off their unnecessary lights and appliances for just one hour every evening, the combined savings would be enough to power close to 2,200 homes for an entire year.

• The Government of B.C. supports conservation and clean energy development.
• B.C.'s public sector is poised to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint (called carbon neutral).
• Nearly $75 million has been invested for schools, hospitals, universities, colleges and other public sector organizations to reduce fuel use, save money and cut carbon pollution.
• The Innovative Clean Energy Fund has provided $60 million for 41 projects across B.C. that use technologies in areas like solar, geothermal, tidal, wind and bioenergy.
• Homeowner incentives are offered through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program.
• More than 10 million Canadians turned out the lights in over 300 cities and towns in 2010.
• Burns Lake residents stood out as B.C.'s most ardent Earth Hour participants last year by decreasing their consumption by seven per cent.
• Vancouver tops the WWF's 2011 Earth Hour list of Canadian cities, leading the battle against climate change.

Learn More:

15 tips (things you can do for free): www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/free.html

52 tips (some may cost money): www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/reduce.html

LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program: www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/h_rebates.html

BC Hydro's Earth Hour page: www.bchydro.com/news/community_events/earth_hour0.html

BC Climate Action for the 21st Century: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cas/cap.html

Media Contact:

Colin Grewar
Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9630
Colin.Grewar@gov.bc.ca