Canadians turn off the lights for Earth Hour
Posted Mar 25, 2017 10:47:06 AM.
Last Updated Mar 26, 2017 09:17:09 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Many Canadians spent an hour with the lights out as they joined people around the world in marking the 10th annual Earth Hour on Saturday.
The event is aimed at drawing attention to climate change and for people to show they support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The World Wildlife Fund has championed Earth Hour since 2007 when it started in Australia. It has since grown to a worldwide movement.
The WWF says this year’s events included everything from a choir performing by candlelight in Montreal to skating under the stars in Vancouver to a candlelight walk and yoga in Toronto.
Last year’s event saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a number of cabinet ministers join in.
Electrical utilities across Canada have also actively taken part in Earth Hour, though it has prompted some critics to use power usage figures to measure Earth Hour’s success.
In Ottawa, Ottawa Hydro said it was turning off power at four of its main buildings.
The WWF says the idea behind Earth Hour is to raise awareness rather than attempting to reduce power usage.
