Across the globe people are preparing to mark an international, collective action to promote energy conservation. This is about a lot more than just turning off your lights: it's about acknowledging and noticing that we all are participants in the state of our planet, and our actions matter. It may seem small if you take turning off the lights just at face value, but consider the ramifications of SO many people doing it. It all adds up!

Here's what one of our local MPPs is doing this weekend. Please see Yasir Naqvi's media release below. Let us know what you're doing, by dropping us a line from the Contact Us page. Happy EarthHour!

ONTARIO SHUTS OFF THE LIGHTS FOR EARTH HOUR
Yasir Naqvi Encourages Ottawa Residents to Take Part in Global Effort to Promote Energy Conservation

NEWS

Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, is encouraging residents of Ottawa to join the Ontario government and people around the world in turning off the lights for one hour tomorrow, Saturday March 29.

Naqvi has pledged to switch off the lights in his home and office, along with most government buildings in Ontario, from 8 PM to 9 PM.

Earth Hour is a global event to promote energy conservation and raise awareness of the threat of climate change. The World Wildlife Fund launched the initial event only a year ago in Sydney, Australia. You can register to participate in Earth Hour at http://www.earthhour.org/ [1].

Supporting Earth Hour is part of our dedication to Ontario's green plan. In the 2008 Budget this week we illustrated our commitment to fighting climate change with investments in renewable energy and conservation, public transit and a proposed extension of the Retail Sales Tax exemption on ENERGY STAR® household appliances and light bulbs for another 13 months. We are also supporting the environment by committing $10 million to implement our plan for the ban on the non-essential use of pesticides, and by providing $41 million over four years to support the development of toxics legislation and a toxics reduction strategy that will require companies that emit toxic substances to reduce their emissions over time.

QUOTES

"I encourage everyone in Ottawa to join me in turning off their lights tomorrow evening," said Naqvi. "Climate change is a serious issue facing our community and our generation, and the only way we will overcome this issue is by working together on initiatives like this".

"Wasting electricity will soon be seen like smoking: Socially unacceptable. But developing this awareness has to start with simple actions, like changing a light bulb - or turning one off!" ~ Stuart Hickox, Executive Director, One Change and Project Porchlight.

"Earth Hour is a tremendous global event and Ontario is proud to participate in it. I encourage all Ontario communities to join Earth Hour. Every single light makes a difference." ~ Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen.

QUICK FACTS - ONTARIO'S GREEN PLAN

- The Ontario Government has reduced its energy consumption in government buildings by 12% since 2003/04.
- By 2011, nearly 650 energy conservation projects will be completed which will help the Ontario Government save enough electricity to power more than 10,000 homes annually.
- Ontario will ban inefficient lighting by 2012. An average home features about 30 installed light bulbs, which can consume over $200 in electricity every year.
- Since 2003, Ontario has gone from being the worst in Canada for installed wind power to being one of Canada's top generators - with 500 megawatts on line, or enough to supply about 130,000 homes a year.

LEARN MORE

Discover how Earth Hour became a global phenomenon.
Ontario tackles climate change on Go Green Ontario.
Learn about conservation initiatives from WWF Canada.
Kids can tune in and turn off at www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/ezone [2].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jackie Choquette
Office of Yasir Naqvi, MPP
613-722-6414