25 March,2011 06:14 AM IST | | Priyanjali Ghose
People to turn off lights between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm to observe Earth Hour 2011
In a bid to bring about a global awareness of environmental changes, the city will observe Earth Hour tomorrow. A global initiative by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the occasion will be observed at several places, including the international airport.
Ray of hope: Vidya Balan is the brand ambassador of World Earth Hour
2011. File pic
Malls, apartments, banks and IT companies will switch off non-essential lighting from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Besides, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will switch off non-essential lighting for an hour at the airport in support of the initiative. Several billboards will be also put up at the premises to make passengers aware of the event.
"ING Vysya has requested all its ATM's, branches and malls to do the same for an hour on Saturday and use candles instead. We will also inaugurate a solar ATM in BTM Layout to mark the occasion," said Sonalee Panda, head, product and marketing, ING Vysya bank.
The Shop Keepers Association on Brigade Road and Bangalore Traders Association too has requested around 190 shops on M G and Brigade Road to close during the stipulated hour. Restaurants and pubs on that stretch have also been urged to participate and to serve customers in candle light.
"The idea is to communicate to people that if you save power you have power. The event on Saturday during peak shopping time, will interest citizens to learn more about Earth Hour," said Suhail Yusuff, secretary of Brigade Shops and Establishments Association.
This year, more than 150 IT companies in the city, including Infosys will observe Earth Hour. Activities like community viewing of matches, street plays and online contests will be organized by Infosys to mark the occasion.
"Such initiativesu00a0 are needed to bring about a lifetime of sustainable living," said Hitesh Sharma, member of Green Connect, a green initiative of Infosys. M C Vinay Kumar, Karnataka state office WWF-India informed that this year the logo, which requested lights off for 60 minutes during Earth Hour has been made 60+ to make sure it is an activity based campaign.
Did you know?
The first Earth Hour was observed in Sydney in 2007. Around 2.2 million individuals, along with 2,000 businesses, took part in the initiative
