Bermuda’s citizens are being urged by Greenrock to turn the lights out this Saturday and head to Hamilton to celebrate Earth Hour.

Organisers held a press conference yesterday to detail all the activities taking place at City Hall to mark the annual event, including live entertainment, face painting, electric vehicle demonstrations, aerial performances and speeches from 7pm onwards.

Jonathan Starling, executive director of Greenrock, said changing mindsets was central to the environmental charity’s work and Earth Hour was a good way to show how each individual could make a difference.

“It’s incumbent on all of us to realise sustainability in our daily lives,” he said.

Asked if there was enough focus on environmental issues in this year’s Budget, he said there was not.

“We’d like to see more sustainability focus in general.

“We think it’s not just good sense in saving the planet, but it makes good sense in terms of saving money.”

Earth Hour committee chairman Eugene Dean said Saturday’s event was important in terms of raising awareness and encouraging people to call for more action from their leaders.

“Revolutions come from people, not from governments,” he said.

The main event on Saturday is the 5K Glow Fun Walk and Run at 8.30pm, when roads will be closed throughout the racecourse. Race registration on racedayworld.com is open until Friday for individuals, families, schools and corporate teams, while race packet collection will take place from noon to 2pm on Friday at City Hall.

Same-day registration will be available on Saturday from 6pm to 8pm at City Hall. Funds raised for Earth Hour are used primarily to support Greenrock’s community projects and programmes to help create a more sustainable Bermuda.

This year, the charity is asking participants to raise pledges in support of those programmes and has partnered with America’s Cup Bermuda (ACBDA) to provide prizes for the top three individual fundraisers, the school that raises the most pledges and the top corporate fundraising team.

ACBDA CEO Mike Winfield said: “It’s our pleasure to provide three double passes to the Grandstand Seating in America’s Cup Village to the three individual highest fundraisers for Greenrock’s Earth Hour and we look forward to everyone in Bermuda coming out to join the action a few times between May 26 and June 27.”

The Chamber of Commerce is supporting Earth Hour by switching off its lights from 4pm to 5pm on Friday and encouraging its members to do the same on Saturday between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Wedco will also turn the lights out at Dockyard.

•For more information, visit www.earthhour.org/bermuda.