Government is urging the people of Bermuda to help fight climate change by joining a wave of darkness sweeping the globe tomorrow evening.

People are being asked to turn off their lights at 8 p.m. tomorrow to mark 'Earth Hour' – a global movement to reduce carbon emissions for just one hour.

Government is appealing to the public to join in, and hopes to "lead by example" by asking staff to turn off their lights, computers and other electronic appliances when leaving the workplace this evening. Employees are also being asked to take part in Earth Hour at home.

Minister of Works Derrick Burgess was joined by Energy Minister Terry Lister and Greenrock Vice-President Mark Booth in making an appeal to the public yesterday.

Mr. Burgess said: "Earth Hour was created to take a stand against the occurrence of global warming, perceived by many to be one of the greatest threats that our planet has faced.

"Recognition of Earth Hour involves the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bermuda-time to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. We encourage the public's full participation as we mark this global event."

The World Wildlife Fund initiative began last year in Sydney, Australia, when more than two million people and thousands of businesses turned out their lights, reducing the city's power consumption by more than ten percent in one hour - the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road.

This year, more than 25 cities around the world have pledged their participation, including Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Francisco, Toronto, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tel Aviv. Millions of people in community groups, local businesses and on an individual basis are also taking part.

The World Wildlife Fund says it wants to "start a wave of change that alters the course of climate change", by inspiring people to take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint. In Bermuda, by simply switching off our lights we can save energy and so cut down on the greenhouse gases which cause global warming.

As well as asking employees to turn off their lights and appliances when they leave work today, Mr. Burgess said staff will be asked to repeat this "as often as practical thereafter".

Asked if Government would set an example to business by introducing a power switch-off every weekend, Mr. Burgess said: "If it's necessary, yes. People's behaviour determines this, so we hope that behaviour will be so that we won't have to do that. But we do want to lead by example."

Mr. Lister added: "Government will be looking at a number of energy initiatives over the course of the year. As Bermudians I want to remind us of the adage 'Think global, act local'. One might ask 'What difference can we make?', but if we believe in our hearts and commit ourselves to seeing the world become a better place, each one of us will help to achieve this.

"The real issue is the reduction of fossil fuels, and working together with Belco in the short-term, medium-term and long-term, we will see some things happening there."

Mr. Booth of Greenrock is encouraging the public to 'sign up' to Earth Hour via its website. He said that just yesterday morning, 95 people signed up, placing Bermuda on an equal footing with several larger countries.

"We are represented but I think we can do better," he said.

Belco is reminding the public to turn their lights back on in gradual stages over a 30-minute period at 9 p.m.

Michael Maughan, Operations Centre manager, said: "There are no operational issues associated with turning the lights off. If the load does go down dramatically at 8 p.m., then Belco will run a high-spinning reserve in anticipation of everyone turning their lights back on at 9 p.m.

"That should prevent any operational problems, but it would be helpful if people turn their lights back on in stages between 9 p.m. and 9.30 p.m."

Mr. Maughan described a spinning reserve as the extra generating capacity available by increasing the power output of generators which are already connected to the power system.

For information on Earth Hour, log-on to: www.earthhour.org

To find out more about energy issues, go to: www.empoweringprogress.bm