On Saturday, March 28, 2009, residents and companies are encouraged to "vote," to show their concern for climate change and celebrate Earth Hour in Montreal by going dark for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Shut off all the lights. It's that simple. Take it step further and turn off televisions, stereos, computers, and generally avoid using anything requiring electricity. And find other things to do during Earth Hour in Montreal.
The First Earth Hour in Montreal
2008 marked the first Earth Hour in Montreal and a 5% decrease in energy consumption for the duration of the event was the result. But it wasn't only private homes that showed their support. Place Ville-Marie's beacon, the Université du Québec à Montréal's properties and other downtown commercial buildings turned their lights off as well. In 2009, the lit cross on top of Mount Royal will also be shut off.
Where Earth Hour Began and Where It Is Going
It was 2.2 million people in Sydney, Australia that initiated, in 2007, a energy-saving statement that's turned into a global warming awareness movement, a movement hoping that 2009's Earth Hour will inspire 1000 cities worldwide to go dark, just for an hour, representing one billion concerned global citizens. One billion votes pleading for change. The World Wildlife Fund will then present those "votes" to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December 2009 where government policies for addressing global warming will be determined and the Kyoto Protocol, finalized.
Sources: World Wildlife Fund Canada, Montreal Gazette, Earth Hour
