earth hour 2008
According to the event’s web site, Earth Hour was “created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced [by using] the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.”
The first Earth Hour event took place last year in Sydney only, and saw over 2.2 million Sydneysiders and 2,100 businesses switched off their lights for one hour, leading to a 10.2% reduction in energy usage across the city.
In 2008, 24 global cities participated in Earth Hour. According to event organisers:
“Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.”
Dimension Data’s Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices participated in Earth Hour 2008. Staff members in these branches were asked to switch off all electrical devices at the wall before leaving work on Friday. Volunteers from each branch followed up on this request by doing the rounds on either Friday or Saturday evening to make sure all non-essential lights and equipment were switched off.
Staff were also encouraged to register on the Earth Hour website and commit to turning off lights at home between 8 and 9pm as well as telling friends and family about Earth Hour and encouraging them to take part in the event.
One generous soul in Dimension Data’s Canberra branch opened his house to all staff members and their partners for an Earth Hour Party – a candle-lit barbecue affair attended by approximately 30 staff, partners and children.
“The response to Earth Hour in the Canberra branch was really positive. We put up posters around the office and encouraged people to be a part of the event both at work and at home or at the staff barbecue. I believe it raised peoples’ awareness about the type of things they can do to reduce their emissions on an ongoing basis,” said Amanda Baussmann, Licensing Specialist Dimension Data.
Merle Singer, Dimension Data’s Director, Culture and Reputation, was responsible for promoting Earth Hour into Dimension Data’s other regions. “We had a tremendous response from staff from Dimension Data and our sister company Datacraft around the world. While Earth Hour had 24 partner cities, within Dimension Data we had participation from other cities not on the official list – including Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo – which should help to extend the reach of Earth Hour to even more cities around the world next year,” she said.
http://www.earthour.org
