Greenrock will partner with Waterfront Properties and a number of other organisations on March 28 to host the seventh annual Celebration of Earth Hour in Bermuda.

Also involved are the Government of Bermuda’s departments of Energy and Sustainable Development together with the Corporation of Hamilton, Belco, Appleby, ACE, Axis, BTC, Bermuda Commercial Bank, Butterfield and Vallis, International Planning and the XL Group.

Grant Gibbons, the Minister of Economic Development, said today that congratulations are in order for Greenrock and the Earth Hour Council for ensuring that Bermuda is part of the Global Earth Hour initiative again this year. He also said that Waterfront Properties should be recognised for hosting this community gathering.

Earth Hour’s mission is to bring people together through a symbolic global, large-scale turning-off of non-essential lighting. Beyond the hour, the mission is to galvanise people into taking action and create an interconnected global community sharing the mutual goal of creating a sustainable future for the planet.

Dr Gibbons said: “The Government understands the challenges we face with energy security in our almost single reliance on fossil fuels. We are also acutely aware of the costs of oil, not just the economic costs but the environmental and social costs as well. While there has been an increase in the adoption of renewable energy technologies on the island, we recognise that the most cost-effective way to increase our energy independence is to first learn to use energy wisely.

“Toward this end, the Government is pursuing new policies and legislation to guide the regulation of Bermuda’s electricity sector, by developing them in consultation with key stakeholders. These will include policies relating to energy conservation and efficiency.

“We realise that change needs to happen within Government as well. In that regard we continue to make progress through the Government Sustainable Energy Committee. The committee consists of various government departments charged with conservation and energy efficiency in Government owned facilities. The committee will also address practices for the purchasing and procurement of new equipment to incorporate energy efficiency standards.

“As the minister responsible for the Department of Energy, I encourage all residents of Bermuda to join millions of people across the globe to switch your lights off for an hour — to raise awareness. I encourage you to extend this awareness to your everyday activities. Make a commitment to reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights, unplugging unused electronics & appliances and adjusting the settings on your water heaters and air conditioners.

“Together we can make a difference in our own neighbourhoods, in our country and across the globe.”

General information on the Earth Hour movement can be found at www.earthhour.bm.