Power down for Earth Hour
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The City’s 12th annual
event promotes environmental stewardship
On
Saturday, March 30, the City of Vaughan will mark Earth Hour with millions of
people around the world by powering down for one hour. Earth Hour is an
opportunity to raise awareness for climate change, promote environmental
stewardship and create sustainable behaviours.
The community
is invited to join the global movement with
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council during the City’s 12th annual Earth
Hour event at Vaughan City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. Official lighting of the Earth Hour Vaughan flame
and observance of Earth Hour to take place between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.,
when all City lights will be turned off.
The event,
sponsored by Alectra Utilities, includes live entertainment, free prize
giveaways, the City’s first electric fleet vehicle and activities such as the
night cycle ride, craft lantern making for the community lantern walk and candle-lit
yoga (bring your own mat). Exhibitors include Coolstraw, Elder’s Mills Public
School, Reptilia, Vaughan Environmental Services, Vaughan Fire and Rescue
Service, York Region Environmental Alliance and more. Citizens will also be
encouraged to make an environmental pledge on the lightbulb wall.
In 2018,
188 countries and territories participated in Earth Hour with more than 18,000
landmarks and monuments switching off their lights. During Earth Hour 2018, the
Vaughan community reduced its energy consumption by 3.6 per cent (12 megawatts).
Vaughan is a champion of environmental sustainability – the City’s corporate energy initiatives have reduced greenhouse gas
emissions by 24 per cent from 2013-2017 and the City also completed a business case for
LED streetlight replacements that will help conserve energy and reduce
electricity costs.
QUOTE
“The City of Vaughan continues to develop its green
initiatives to make significant and noticeable carbon footprint reductions
throughout the city. These include environmentally sustainable upgrades to municipal
facilities such as community centres, firehalls and libraries, the addition of the
City’s first electric fleet vehicle and highlighting environmental stewardship
as a priority in the recently
approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. As the City continues to expand its larger-scale efforts, I remind citizens
that all it takes is one person to make a world of a difference. I invite
everyone to the City’s annual Earth Day celebration so we, as a community, can safeguard and champion
a healthier and greener Vaughan for current and future generations.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- This year marks the 12th annual Earth Hour Vaughan celebration. The event demonstrates the City’s commitment to sustainability and the desire to stand in solidarity with others to raise awareness for climate change.
- The City of Vaughan purchased its first electric fleet vehicle, downsizing from a half-ton pick-up truck to a Nissan Leaf, that will save operating costs by 93 per cent and result in a 97 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- First launched by World Wildlife Fund in 2007, Earth Hour is a global initiative aimed at fighting climate change, influencing climate policy and encouraging sustainability worldwide. The initiative has grown to become one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment with more than 188 countries and territories participating.
- To recognize Earth Hour at home, turn off all non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.
LEARN MORE
- City of Vaughan’s environmental sustainability webpage
- Vaughan Earth Hour webpage
- Earth Hour website
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