The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation:

Residents Encouraged to Turn Lights Off for One Hour for the Earth

Mr. Speaker, hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour. It is a time when people from every corner of the globe and from every walk of life are asked to join together in solidarity for our Earth and turn off their lights for one hour. Earth Hour 2012 will take place this coming Saturday, March 31, at 8:30 p.m.

Each of us has a responsibility for the sustainability of our planet and every action, big or small, collectively helps to make a difference.

Mr. Speaker, last year more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. Without a doubt, it has shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government is committed to taking action on climate change and energy efficiency. We realize that solutions are possible, such as the development of clean, renewable energy, along with individual actions such as being more energy efficient. To guide the province forward, we released Charting Our Course: Climate Change Action Plan 2011 and Moving Forward: Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011.

While Earth Hour has helped raise the profile of sustainability issues since its inception in 2007, Mr. Speaker, we must all pledge to do more than switch off our lights for one hour each year. Governments, organizations, businesses and individuals must remain committed to taking action every day to reduce their environmental impact through saving energy and reducing waste and emissions.

I encourage every household throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to join the Earth Hour movement at 8:30 p.m. local time on March 31 and share in one hour of darkness for the Earth. Collectively, our actions really do make a positive difference for our environment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2012 03 29             1:50 p.m.