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Red Deer residents urged to switch off lights for Earth Hour on Saturday

Reflecting on energy consumption is the goal of global movement

Red Deer residents are encouraged to turn their lights off for one hour on Saturday to mark Earth Day.

It’s a symbolic gesture, reminding everyone to conserve energy and raise awareness of climate change.

This year, Earth Hour lands on March 25, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The City of Red Deer will once again participate by shutting non-essential lights at city-owned facilities. This is the ninth year the city is observing Earth Hour, in the hope it gets more residents reflecting on conservation.

Bailey Doepker, environmental program specialist for the City of Red Deer, said the goal is to increase awareness of the link between high energy consumption and rising greenhouse gas emissions. “Hopefully we can reduce our energy use every day, not just for one hour.”

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund in Australia in 2007, Earth Hour has become a global movement, with more than 50-million people participating in 172 countries and territories.

For more information, please visit www.reddeer.ca/environment.