The Ernakulam District Energy Conservation Forum is observing Earth Hour on Saturday, in a programme being organised on a massive scale, District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth has said. The Earth Hour is an international initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, which involves switching off all non-essential lights for one hour on March 23, from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
According to the Forum press release, the event “sends across an inspiring message of hope and action against climate change and provides an opportunity for every individual, organisation and government to be part of the solution for the global crisis.”
The collector said that on Saturday, from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm,a walkathon titled ‘Walk for Mother Earth’ will also be organised, from Durbar Hall grounds. “The walkathon will take a circular route to reach back at the grounds. It will cover major junctions in the city. Apart from the district administration, other stakeholders, including the KSEB, GCDA and various residential associations in the city will take part in the walkathon.
Several prominent personalities, including ministers, judges, bureaucrats, cine stars and sports icons will participate in the event. A pledge to conserve energy will be taken at 8.30 pm in candle light,” he said. The collector also said that Kochi is one of the 17 cities in the world contesting for the Earth Hour City Challenge.
“The contest is to promote cities that are taking innovative actions towards creating greener, cleaner and more sustainable environment to live in. In India, only three cities, including Kochi, have qualified for the distinction. Low carbon development plans and renewable energy solutions are the two important factors in the contest,” he said. Institutions like CIAL, GCDA and Geojit Services will be honoured for initiating green projects.