Report to:  General Committee                                                  Report Date: February 4, 2008

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Markham’s Participation in Earth Hour 2008

PREPARED BY:               Viive Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation

                                            Office (MECO) x7523

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Report titled, “Markham’s Participation in Earth Hour 2008” be received;

 

THAT Council support the Town of Markham’s participation in Earth Hour 2008, an event scheduled for March 29, 2008, whereby citizens, businesses and government are encouraged to turn off the lights for one hour between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

 

AND THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of participating in Earth Hour 2008, an important World Wildlife Foundation-led global initiative is to show our commitment to finding solutions for climate change.  Cities from across North America, Europe, Asia and Asia Pacific, including Toronto, Chicago, Copenhagen, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, and Tel Aviv will be participating in this event scheduled for March 29, 2008 whereby citizens, businesses and governments agree to turn off lights for 1 hour between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.  PowerStream has agreed to monitor load reductions during this timeframe to enable the reporting of any energy savings results.

 

BACKGROUND:

On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney, Australia turned off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney’s energy consumption by 10.2% during that one hour period, the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.

 

With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

Created to take a stand against one of the greatest threats to our planet, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

This simple act has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. As a result, at 8 p.m. on  March 29, 2008 millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, including Toronto, Chicago, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tel Aviv and Manila will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

MECO intends to promote Earth Hour in partnership with PowerStream and to determine in consultation with various departments, where possible to turn off lights at key corporate facilities for one hour on Saturday, March 29th between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.  Lights will only be turned off in corporate buildings where feasible and without compromising safety and security or interruption to regular service. 

 

MECO will also promote Earth Hour to residents and businesses within the local community.  PowerStream will monitor the results by taking an electrical load "snapshot" immediately prior to the 8 p.m. initiation and immediately after the 9 p.m. restoration.  If there is any significant impact from the conservation effort and it is initiated roughly concurrently, they will be able to apply a value.   In addition to the prospective conservation impact during the one hour time period, this initiative also has tremendous educational merit from the perspective of raising awareness around the issue of climate change, emission reductions, energy conservation, and the value that individual efforts can make.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

N/A

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Depending on the level of participation, a measurable energy savings across the community for that one hour period should be achieved.

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

N/A

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

N/A

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Viive Sawler                                       Allan Seabrooke

                                      Manager, MECO                               Acting Commissioner,

                                                                                                Community & Fire Services

 

ATTACHMENTS:

www.earthhour.org – 3 minute video to be shown.