NRC sheds light on earth hour switch-off

www.nrc.govt.nz/takeaction At 8.30pm this Saturday (28 March 2009), Northland will be part of something huge, and the Northland Regional Council is opening its doors to tell you about it.
On March 28 2009, people in Northland and across New Zealand and the world will be encouraged to take part in Earth Hour by switching off their lights and other electrical appliances for one hour between 8:30pm and 9:30pm.

To help celebrate Earth Hour and encourage Northlanders to take part, the Northland Regional Council is holding an ‘open day’ to promote the event and educate people about other actions they can take to make their everyday lives more sustainable.

“The open day will offer plenty of information and giveaways,” says Liz Woodward, NRC Events Co-ordinator. “Visitors will also have the chance to view displays on worm farming and composting, weed and pest control, energy efficient lightbulbs and reducing your environmental footprint.

“Staff will be on hand to answer queries,” Liz says, “and the team will also be firing up the barbeque and giving away wild pork meatballs.”

Earth Hour aims to have one billion people, worldwide, switch off their lights and appliances, sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming. Some 1,858 cities, towns and municipalities in 81 countries have already committed to ‘vote earth’ for Earth Hour 2009, as part of what is being termed ‘the world’s first global election between Earth and global warming’.

The NRC open day will be held on Saturday 28 March from 7am to 11am at the Council’s Whangarei office at 36 Water Street, just across the road from the Farmers’ markets.

“Market-goers can collect their fresh produce and then pick up fresh ideas that support our local, national and global environment,” Liz Woodward says.

To find out more about Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org, or for more information on making small changes in everyday life that create a big environmental difference, go to www.nrc.govt.nz/takeaction.