Executive Council
March 26, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency:

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Encouraged to Participate in Earth Hour 2015

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to encourage residents throughout the province to participate in Earth Hour 2015.

Earth Hour is an international event organized by the World Wildlife Fund to demonstrate the importance of taking action on climate change. The event first took place in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and has since grown to be one of the largest grassroots environmental initiatives in the world. Each year, millions of people from more than 162 countries and territories participate in the event.

Mr. Speaker, to participate in Earth Hour 2015, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must turn off all non-essential lighting on March 28 for one hour between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., local time. By switching off our lights, we are raising awareness about climate change, which is one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. Climate change is having a substantial effect on areas throughout the world and minimizing this impact requires taking global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes that climate change is a shared challenge and we have committed to being a part of the solution. The province came within 0.4 per cent of meeting its target to return provincial greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010. This was a significant achievement given that our economy grew by 65 per cent over the same period. In September 2014, we released a mid-way progress report for our 2011 Climate Change Action Plan. This report showed that 64 of the 75 commitments contained in the plan are completed or underway, including the award-winning Turn Back the Tide campaign.

And while these achievements demonstrate the Provincial Government�s dedication to tackling climate change, as individuals, we all have a part to play as well. Participating in Earth Hour is just one way to do so. I encourage everyone to learn more about Earth Hour 2015 by visiting earthhour.org and for further information on taking action on climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador, please visit our website turnbackthetide.ca.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2015 03 26                              2:00 p.m.