Earth Hour 2011

Malaysians joined millions around the world in switching off lights and electrical appliances in a symbolic gesture in support of ‘Earth Hour 2011,’ the campaign to create awareness about climate change. They switched off the lights from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

In Petaling Jaya, the Sunway Pyramid turned dark for an hour last night in an event jointly organised by WWF-Malaysia. Cheers of “Save the World,” were heard before the crowd started singing Michael’s famous song ‘Heal the World,’ with lighted candles in their hands.

The event was the brainchild of fifteen-year-old Ravyna Jassani, who wanted to do more than just switch off the lights for an hour.  “We did not inherit this Earth from our ancestors, we simply borrowed it from our children,” Sunway Pyramid CEO H.C. Chan said.

More than one hundred and twenty youths also gathered at the Sunway Giza Mall in Kota Damansara to observe ‘Earth Hour.’

Participants of the ‘Earth Hour Youth Fest,’ lit organic candles and entertained shoppers with performances. They also gave away custom-made bookmarks and explained the importance of energy conservation.

In Sepang, thirty percent of the lights in some areas of KL International Airport (KLIA) were switched off from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The airport management turned off the terminal lights at the main terminal building, contact pier, satellite building and the LCCT-KLIA station. Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd general manager Moham­mad Suhaimi Abdul Mubin said this would help KLIA conserve one hundred and ninety-four kilowatts of electricity. LCCT-KLIA would see savings of forty-three and a half kilowatts.

In George Town, the lights at iconic places, including the High Court building, City Hall and Town Hall, were switched off from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. A downpour failed to dampen the spirit of the people observing ‘Earth Hour,’ at the Esplanade. Several thousand organic candles were placed at the Esplan­ade field to make out the figure ‘60’ (to represent 60 minutes) and the words ‘Earth Hour 2011.’

‘Earth Hour,’ which kicked off in Sydney in 2007, was organised by the World Wide Fund For Nature for concerned individuals around the world to take a stand against climate change and global warming.

Source: Malaysian Star Online & MJWN