Vaughan reduces energy consumption by 4.2 per cent during Earth Hour
Image
The City’s 12th annual event brought the community together in support of the environment
On Saturday, March 30, the City of Vaughan marked Earth Hour at Vaughan City Hall by joining millions of people around the world to power down for one hour. As a result, Vaughan reduced its energy consumption by an outstanding 4.2 per cent (13.68 megawatts), outpacing last year’s total of 3.6 per cent (12 megawatts).
The community was
invited to join the global movement with Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members
of Council during the City’s 12th annual Earth Hour event. Official lighting of
the Earth Hour Vaughan flame and observance of Earth Hour took place between
8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., when lights were turned off at City Hall. Residents
and businesses throughout the city were also encouraged to power down for the
event.
The event,
sponsored by Alectra Utilities, included live entertainment, free 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. Exhibitors
included Coolstraw, Elder’s Mills Public School, Reptilia Vaughan, York Region
Environmental Alliance, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association Canada, City
departments and more. Citizens were also encouraged to make an environmental
pledge on the lightbulb wall. Volunteers from the Maple Scouts ran the
pedal-powered smoothie bike and led citizens on the lantern walk and St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church prepared and served hot chocolate and cookies.
Vaughan is a
champion of environmental sustainability – the City’s corporate energy
initiatives have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 24 per cent from 2013 to 2017.
The City also participates in a number of environmental events such as the
20-Minute Makeover challenge, inviting schools, businesses, residents and local
groups to come together, get outside and cleanup the community. This year’s
challenge will take place on Thursday, April 25 at 2 p.m. To participate, submit
a completed registration
form (PDF) to environment@vaughan.ca to
receive free supplies, including garbage bags and plastic gloves, that can be
picked up from City Hall.
QUOTE
“Earth Hour is
an opportunity to raise awareness for climate change and promote sustainable
behaviours across our city. I want to thank Vaughan citizens for participating
in this year’s Earth Hour. Whether residents joined us at Vaughan City Hall or
turned off lights at home, our community demonstrated their commitment to
safeguarding Vaughan’s future and championing a healthier environment. The City
of Vaughan continues to develop its green initiatives to make significant and
noticeable carbon footprint reductions throughout the city. These include eco-friendly
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 efforts, I remind citizens that all it takes is one
person to make a world of difference.”
- Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- This year marked the 12th annual Earth Hour Vaughan celebration demonstrating the City’s commitment to sustainability and the desire to stand in solidarity with others to raise awareness for climate change.
- To recognize Earth Hour at home, residents were encouraged to turn off all non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.
- Vaughan reduced its energy consumption by 4.2 per cent (13.68 megawatts) during Earth Hour.
- The City of Vaughan purchased its first electric fleet vehicle, downsizing from a half-ton pickup truck to a Nissan Leaf, which will reduce operating costs by 93 per cent and result in a 97 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The vehicle was on display at the event.
- 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.
- In 2019, 188 countries and territories participated in Earth Hour with more than 18,000 landmarks and monuments switching off their lights.
LEARN
MORE
- City of Vaughan’s environmental sustainability webpage
- Vaughan Earth Hour webpage
- Earth Hour website
-30-