More participants join Earth Hour

With Earth Hour only a few nights away, anticipation is escalating, with the list of participants growing.

"It will be a special day around the world," said Mayor Margaret Black.

She reminded those in attendance at last week's council meeting that the municipality of King has already registered on-line at www.earthhour.org.

She emphasized individuals too can register to participate in the event.

"I hope you and your friends will put the lights out between the hours of 8 and 9 p.m.," she said.

Cities around the world will be participating in this year's Earth Hour this Saturday (March 29). A letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced the Ontario government too will be turning off its lights too.

Black read the letter, which stated that last year, Australia's World Wildlife Fund (WWF) pioneered Earth Hour in Sydney. More than two million people participated, resulting in a 10 per cent reduction on the electrical grid for one hour. The event saved 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road for one hour.

"Earth Hour is a global initiative where businesses and households are asked to turn off their lights for one hour. This delivers a powerful message that we can all contribute and make a difference in addressing climate change," the letter stated.

Black said she was "very happy" to see the Ontario government will participate.

The Dufferin Marsh committee will also be hosting a stargazing evening Saturday29, starting at 8:30 p.m. The event will take place on the Dufferin Marsh, which is at the southwest corner of Main Street and Dr. Kay Drive in Schomberg.

The committee advised to dress warmly, and not to bring flashlights unless they are painted with red nail polish.

They hope to see the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion nebula, Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus and other astronomical bodies.