Everyone, including our residents, schools and businesses, can take simple steps to reduce their energy use and help address climate change and we encourage everyone to celebrate Earth Hour on March 23rd and throughout the year. Photo:charity challenge

The objective of Earth Hour is to increase public awareness of the need to decrease energy use and to take action against climate change. Earth Hour is no longer just about turning the lights off for an hour. Instead, it is an opportunity to promote year-round conservation and long-lasting actions that benefit the health of our planet. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative.

Everyone, including our residents, schools and businesses, can take simple steps to reduce their energy use and help address climate change and we encourage everyone to celebrate Earth Hour on March 23rd and throughout the year.

Last year, more than 7,000 municipalities in 152 countries and territories worldwide switched off their lights to participate in the largest climate campaign ever! This year we are encouraging the British Virgin Islands to be a part of this change.

Below are some simple suggestions for how residents, schools and businesses can participate:

1. Turn off your lights
2. Enjoy a candlelit dinner with family and friends.
3. Read bedtime stories by flashlight.
4. Organize community discussions on environmental issues.
5. Commit to energy conservation throughout the year
6. Avoid operating major appliances during Earth Hour.

So don’t be afraid of the dark this March 23rd! Turn off your lights and reduce energy use during Earth Hour between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. be creative, have fun and stay safe! Let us know what you did! Take a picture or make a short video and post it on our Facebook page so we can share with the world what you did. Additional information on Earth Hour can be found at www.earthhour.org.