The capital joined cities across the world to celebrate Earth Hour, beginning 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, pledging its support to work against the ill-effects of climate change and preserving the environment.
The event organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature is the largest global campaign on climate change, and this year over one billion people around the globe joined the campaign, involving more than 6,000 cities and towns, to turn off lights in show of support for action on climate change.
In the capital, for the first time, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit switched off the lights at India Gate at 8.30 p.m. as a symbolic show of support to the cause.
“This year we pledge to save more electricity than previously by the endeavour. By switching off the lights at India Gate we have sent a strong message to the country about our commitment to the cause and our seriousness on the issue. Every individual has to take his duty towards the environment seriously and has to work together to protect and preserve it,” she said.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the city several private banks, landmarks including the Akshardham temple, ITC hotels and the Inter-Continental Hotels Group, some radio stations along with several individuals, turned off their lights for an hour.
“We switched off [lights] for an hour to show our support for the environment and gathered in the common playground. It was a good night out for the children as well, as we involved them in an activity which makes them aware about their responsibility towards saving the environment,” said president of the Tagore Road Hostel (Minto Road) residents' association, Ashok Kumar.
The city registered a load reduction of 165 MW in the BSES area on account of the Earth Hour as per a BSES official.
This year WWF and Tetra Pak too reached out to the students for their support, through its joint initiative website www.youngclimatesavers.com. The website educated students on the impact of global warming and climate change encouraging more and more students to participate in Earth Hour.
