News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

This Saturday, the lights will go out at the B.C. legislature as the provincial government does its part to conserve power for Earth Hour 2010, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today. 

“Turning our lights off for Earth Hour is a great way for everyone to show support for the fight against climate change,” said Premier Campbell. “We all have a part in ensuring that we leave a legacy of sustainability to our children and grandchildren. Earth Hour is a great example of a single idea can grow and inspire people everywhere to take uncomplicated action that can make a difference.” 

“B.C. saw climate change as the issue of our generation early on so we’re already taking aggressive action through a number of policies from the revenue-neutral carbon tax to our commitment to be carbon neutral in 2010,” said John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action. “Conserving power is one of the easiest things we can do and each year Earth Hour reminds us that we need to think of conservation first and foremost.” 

Millions of people, governments at all levels, businesses and organizations across the world will join together to conserve power by turning off the lights. This year, on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 pm you can be a part of the solution simply by flipping off your lights for 60 minutes. 

“I’m proud that the Province will also participate in Earth Hour, with all government buildings – including the B.C. legislature – turning off all non-essential lights,” said Citizens’ Services Minister Ben Stewart, whose responsibilities include government facilities. “I encourage public service employees to think about ways they can reduce their energy consumption as government works toward the goal of becoming a greener public service.” 

Earth Hour originated in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and since that time it has grown in popularity. In 2009, hundreds of millions of people in some 4,000 cities in close to 90 countries literally “turned off their lights.” 

“As a member of a B.C. government Green Team, I’m excited to see Earth Hour grow from what it was in 2007 to the large and successful worldwide event we’ll see this Saturday,” said Dominic Seiterle, a provincial government employee and Canadian Olympic rower. “Conserving electricity is a critical first step in slowing climate change and hopefully Saturday’s event will raise this essential awareness and show how easy it is to participate.” 

When it goes dark this Saturday evening, the B.C. legislature, and other government buildings, will be in good company with the Golden Gate Bridge, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Empire State Building and other buildings and structures around the world. 

Click to learn more about easy ways to conserve electricity.

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