New Delhi: As the
clock strikes 8.30 p.m. March 26, the night lights will go off
across India for an hour when the country, along with over 126
nations, will observe Earth Hour, a global movement against
climate change.
Organised by the World Wide Fund (WWF), the lights-off will be the
biggest single mobilisation against global warming.
India will be observing the Earth Hour for the third consecutive
year this time.
The campaign message this year is to go beyond the hour and commit
oneself to a more sustainable way of living everyday, and not just
for an hour, the WWF said.
Earth Hour 2011 marks the start of a new phase for the movement,
which is also reflected in the new "60+" logo, representing a
commitment to add a positive act for the planet.
"It is heartening to receive such tremendous support from across
the country. We are now hoping to multiply the initiative across
the social spectrum and reach out to governments, organisations,
and individuals, especially the youth across the country," Ravi
Singh, secretary general and chief executive of WWF-India, said
Tuesday.
Singh added: "It is inspiring to see how a simple step as
switching off lights for an hour can unite the entire country
towards a single cause. The campaign has received unprecedented
support in the previous years and we intend to make it stronger
every year."
The mobilisation for Earth Hour 2011 has already begun.
The website (www.earthhour.in) will provide information and
suggestions on various steps to reduce an individual's or an
organisation's carbon footprint.
Over 100 cyclists in the capital had taken part in the Earth Hour
cylcothon Sunday.
India joined the Earth Hour campaign in 2009 by committing the
support of two cities - Delhi and Mumbai - but finally almost 56
cities supported it.
During Earth Hour 2010, more than five million people in India
switched off lights.
Popular landmarks like the India Gate, the Qutub Minar, Red Fort
and the Gateway of India in Delhi, the Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus in Mumbai, national defence establishments, universities,
hotels, cinema complexes and shopping malls across the nation
participated in the event.
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