Hundreds of countries around the world will be participating in Earth Hour this Saturday, but Canada is one of the most keen with 1 in 606 signed on to participate (the US only has 1 in 5,347 committed.)
"Last week, Canada was in first place, but now trails the U.S. about 2,000 with close to 55,000 people who have officially committed, via earthhour.org, to turning off their lights from 8 to 9 p.m. Saturday," The Star reported.
In addition to shutting out their lights for 60 minutes on March 29, many people are willing to do even more to support the WWF event. Bigger corporations are joining in too; McDonalds has even promised to shut off the lights on the famous golden arches!
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado will be hosting a free concert in support of the event in Toronto. After she sings her hit song "Turn Off the Light," landmark buildings like the CN Tower and City Hall will completely powered down.
Another free concert will be held in Prince Rupert, B.C. In Woodbridge, Ontario, they're organizing lantern walks.
Across the country, hundreds of restaurants have signed on to serve candlelit dinners. Cafe Koi in Calgary, a city that's also agreed to shut off the lights of municipal buildings, has agreed to shut their lights off for the entire night, not just for the designated Earth Hour.
"Many buildings and landmarks will turn off their lights," WWF notes. "These include the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Toronto Eaton Centre, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Honest Ed's in Ontario; all buildings in which VanCity, BC Hydro and City of Vancouver operate; and the MacDonald Bridge, City Hall, and Parade Square in Halifax.'
And look at what a Toronto hotel is doing...
Canada's Green Commitment
Earth Hour 2008
Trend Themes
1. Increased Participation in Earth Hour - As more individuals and corporations become committed to Earth Hour and reducing energy use, opportunities arise for energy monitoring and management companies to create more user-friendly and accessible platforms for energy reduction.
2. Growing Interest in Sustainable Living - With events like Earth Hour and increasing public interest, sustainable living practices are becoming more mainstream, presenting opportunities for companies in industries such as renewable energy, green construction, and sustainable agriculture.
3. Shift Towards Energy Conservation - The enthusiasm for Earth Hour indicates a growing trend towards energy conservation, creating opportunities for companies to create innovative solutions for energy storage and distribution to support reduced energy use in households and businesses.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - As the public continues to embrace sustainable living, there is a growing need for renewable energy companies to expand their reach and improve efficiency to meet the demand.
2. Green Construction - As sustainable practices gain popularity, there is a potential for disruption in the construction industry to incorporate more eco-friendly materials and practices into mainstream construction projects.
3. Smart Energy Management - As conservation becomes more of a priority for businesses and households, there is potential for companies in the energy management industry to create innovative solutions for monitoring and reducing energy use.