The B.C. government is doing its part for Earth Hour 2012 for the fourth year in a row by shutting off the lights at the Parliament Buildings this Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to save power and encourage British Columbians to do the same, Environment Minister Terry Lake and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff announced.

"Last year British Columbians really showed that they care about the environment by saving power in creative ways," Lake said. "Whether it's a candlelight dinner or turning down the heat and bundling up, Earth Hour shows us that we can practice sustainability and still have fun."

Every year, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) hosts Earth Hour. In 2011, according to BC Hydro, British Columbia saved 117 megawatt hours of electricity, which amounted to a 1.8 per cent reduction in the province's electricity load. Close to 90 communities will participate in Earth Hour 2012.

"Our province has shown the world that we are leaders when it comes to climate action," said Barisoff. "For Earth Hour 2012, my colleague Terry Lake and I are challenging British Columbians to pull out the stops and do even more this year."

Kitimat residents achieved a 4.35 per cent drop in electricity consumption - the highest of any participating B.C. community in 2011 during Earth Hour. The provincial average was 1.8 per cent.

In 2007, WWF and the Sydney Morning Herald came up with the idea for Earth Hour - more than two million people took part in the event and about 4,000 cities participated. Now a popular event worldwide and growing every year, some of the landmarks that have gone dark like the B.C. Legislature include:

• Big Ben, London
• The Empire State Building, New York
• The Sydney Opera House, Sydney
• The Eiffel Tower, Paris
• The Parthenon, Greece

Learn more about Earth Hour and ways to reduce energy use by visiting:

www.livesmartbc.ca

www.bchydro.com/powersmart

www.bchydro.com/earthhour

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications Officer
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745