Happy Earth Hour Day

There is no big party in Toronto this year. The WWF-Canada event held in Younge-Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips Square has gone the way of the dodo bird. Instead you are supposed to reduce electrical demand for Earth Hour which runs from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Panda's are a big part of the WWF and the Earth Hour celebrations.

I Panda my planet string bracelet - I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

The WWF says "It will continue to be a call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. A call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the global journey to a sustainable future." I think you are supposed to not wear underwear and then turn off your lights. Whatever feels good and saves the environment - the Panda doesn't judge.

The city's skyline on the evening of March 26 already seems quite dark as it waits for the start of Earth Hour.

UPDATE: TORONTO, March 27 /CNW/ - The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) tonight reported that compared to a typical Saturday in late March, demand for electricity in Ontario fell by approximately four per cent or 560 megawatts (MW) as a result of Earth Hour. This drop is equivalent to the average peak energy needs of a city the size of Brampton.

"More than anything, Earth Hour gives people a chance to think about their energy use," said Paul Murphy, President and CEO of the IESO. "Ontarians have become keenly aware of the need to conserve electricity - not just during Earth Hour, but at other times of the year as well."


Local media reported that the energy reductions during the event have been rapidly falling over the past three years - from 15% in 2009, 10% in 2010 to this years 4-5%. My opinion is that rather than indifference the many residential, commercial and large buildings in Toronto have long since joined the energy conservation bandwagon in an effort to have positive PR, be green, help the planet and help the bottom line.