VOTE EARTH - 60 min Earth Hour

GDN, Bahrain, Friday 27th March 2009
Bahrain businesses and residents were yesterday urged to mark 'Earth Hour' with the rest of the world by turning off the lights at their homes and establishments between 8:30pm and 9:30pm tomorrow (28th March 2009).
The Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife is spearheading the initiative by taking a similar step during the same period.
"We hope to send out a message about reducing a gas emissions from power stations, particularly Carbon-di-oxide, which is considered one of the main gases that largely contribute to climate change," said a comission spokesman.
Earth Hour 2009 is an initiative by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to combat climate change.
Business, residents and students in Bahrain as well as the rest of the world have committed to turning off their lights to symbolise a 'Vote for Earth'.
Those making the effort to switch off their lights are voting for a safe environment, while those who don't are seen to be voting for 'Global warming'.
Earth Hour was launched in Sydney, Australia, two years ago in an effort to send a powerful message that people have the power to make a positive impact on their environment.
The event aims to have one billion people switching off their lights for an hour. The results will be calculated and presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 7.
According to the Earth Hour website, more than 3,000 cities, towns and municipalities in 84 countries will take part.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) is among the companies in Bahrain urging people to join the initiative. PwC global chief executive officer Sam Di Piazza said there was no value in preaching to others unless you practise yourself.
"Around the globe the people of PwC are committed to playing a leading role in achieving a sustainable future.
"We take responsibility for our actions and promote responsible business practices, support the growth and development of our people and communities and seek to minimise our impact on the environment."
Chief executive Boris Uhlig of the recently launched Recycling for Charity said they were keen to join the campaign.
"We are asking people to vote for Earth by switching off their lights and embrace the power to help the environment."
"Something as simple as a candle-lit dinner with family or friends or looking at the stars makes a bold statement that one person committed to reducing energy consumption can make a difference, but millions working together can change the world."
Bahrain International Circuit hopes sports fans receive the message and joins the campaign.
"As the first circuit in the world to have an active environmental programme with the Unep, we are delighted to see many more establishments follow suit to enhance the country's commitment to the environment and community," Chief Executive officer Martin Whitaker said.
Coca-cola Bottling Company Bahrain public relations manager Leila Rajkumar said the plant would spend a whole week celebrating Earth Hour.
"We will make climate change education presentations to all employees. We will urge the plant's 250 emloyees to incorporate Earth Hour into their homes.
"Conservation of water, being one of our key environmental goals, we will host events to identify measures to reduce waste of water as an integral routine in our daily lives."
Standard Chartered Bank supported the campaign for the second consecutive year. Staff in Bahrain and the Middle East, participated by switching off computers before leaving their desks yesterday, with the aim of making a powerful statement about energy consumption in the region.
Bank regional chief executive officer Shayne Nelson said it could make a credible difference to the environment and staff should take a sustainable approach to tackling climate change.
"We encourage our staff to lead by example, by symbolically switching off and unplugging all non essential equipment and lights in office and at homes."
"In our capacity as advisers, lenders, investors and insurers we recognize the instrumental role financial institutions play in catalysing the shift to a low crbon economy."
St. Christopher's school students tok a pledge to turn off their lights, wherever they are tomorrow night. Year Nine student Devi Nair recently gave an assembly speech to her peers, urging them to support this 'amazing idea.' Head teacher James Moncur said Earth Hour was a simple way of making a positive contribution to protecting the planet. He said he was proud of the students' high level of awareness and determination to become actively engaged in he effort to protect the environment.
(KIND NOTE: Though Earth Hour concept apparantly and directly seem to have no significant reduction in carbon emission globally, it can be a head start for more serious steps which would be initiated further by many organisations and individuals. Propagation of this event would easily create wide awareness all over the world. So, I hope we also should get along with this campaign and support and spread the word as far as possible. http://vgogreen.blogspot.com)