Bendigo set to power down

Bendigo Advertiser
Friday 7/3/2008 Page: 1

Bendigo will embrace a global initiative designed to empower the community in the vital battle against climate change later this month. City of Greater Bendigo residents will be encouraged to turn off lights and other non-essential electrical appliances as part of Earth Hour on March 29. Cities in Australia, Fiji, Israel, Denmark, Thailand, Ireland, New Zealand, the US, Canada and the Philippines will unite in darkness from 8pm for one hour to raise awareness of the difference each individual can potentially make to reduce global warming.

Mayor David Jones said Bendigonians could expect some of the city's most famous landmarks to have their lights dimmed on March 29. Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Alexandra Fountain and the Town Hall may all be shrouded in shadow as part of Earth Hour. "Most of our lights in council offices go out at night anyway," Cr Jones said. "The public recognition of these sort of initiatives has really grown and the way Earth Hour has spread in popularity and is recognised around the world really magnifies that.

"The whole sustainable energy issue now is at the forefront of council's thinking and occasions like Earth Hour help to further promote that." Cr Jones praised Greater Bendigo for its current efforts in reducing their carbon emissions, but said the war against global warming was far from being won. "My main message is that it's great to see these awareness raising events to keep this issue in the spotlight," he said.

"This is not just for the one hour, this will give people the chance to really think about things we do in the community for the future." Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance executive officer Bronwen Machin said she believed that while Earth Hour was an important event, it shouldn't take the focus from more vital climate change initiatives.

"I think that our region as a whole is already very much aware of climate change and we are already very active," Ms Machin said. ''There are higher priorities at the moment, such as getting our renewable energy potential taken seriously. "Individuals can do it themselves, they don't have to wait for council leadership and it's a good reminder for people to realise how much they rely on electricity.

"But our focus should be on how to make that jump to renewable energy." Other Victorian regions supporting Earth Hour include Greater Shepparton City Council and Surf Coast Shire, while local businesses including Bendigo Bank and Solahart Bendigo will also flick the switch. "We're definitely going to be turning off all our nonessential lights, and we're going to put out a letter challenging other businesses to do the same," Bendigo Bank spokesperson Sharon Kemp said.