COQUITLAM, B.C., March 17, 2022 – Planning to join in Earth Hour on March 26? The City of Coquitlam has some ideas to make this year’s experience fun and memorable.
The City is encouraging residents to turn out the lights and join in planet-friendly activities during this year’s Earth Hour, running from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. Coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth Hour raises awareness around the world about the impact of individual and collective actions to address climate change.
The annual event dovetails with the City’s climate change efforts, which include developing long-range plans, actions and targets for conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gases within the organization and broader community.
Join in the Global Earth Hour Movement
Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia as a symbolic lights-out event and has since grown into one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for environmental change. On the last Saturday of each March, millions of people in more than 190 countries and territories switch off lights and unnecessary electronics.
Coquitlam residents who want to join in Earth Hour to show their support of the planet have a variety of options at home, in the community or online. As a start, check out the Take Part section at www.earthhour.org for ideas and tips for impactful activities, including joining in or organizing an Earth Hour event, or sharing stories online about your actions to protect nature.
What to Do on March 26
On March 26 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., look for the City to go “lights out” at the Pinetree Way Light Column, SkyTrain Guideway Lights and the Lafarge Lake Fountain. Join us by turning off the lights and try one of these ideas from www.earthhour.org:
- Reconnect with nature: Grab flashlights for a night walk and gaze at the stars.
- Enjoy a planet-friendly, waste-free meal with family and friends by candlelight.
- Spend quality time with loved ones. Watch a nature documentary or play a game.
- Up your knowledge. Use the hour to learn more about the planet and climate change.
- Give back. Learn about City volunteer opportunities, such as Adopt a Trail/Street/Catch Basin and environmental-focused positions, at www.coquitlam.ca/volunteer.
- Get active. Enjoy a night run, dance to your favourite playlist or practice yoga.
- Discover your artistic side. Try night photography, have fun with glow-in-the-dark non-toxic paint, or upcycle (creatively re-use) something instead of trashing it.
A Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
Coquitlam’s commitment to addressing climate change dates back many years, including signing the BC Climate Action Charter in 2007. Recent actions have included:
- Adopting a comprehensive Environmental Sustainability Plan in 2022 with 135 actions to support the City and community in becoming more sustainable and resilient, focused around five themes: climate action, built environment, waste management, water management, and natural areas, wildlife and habitat (www.coquitlam.ca/enviroplan);
- Committing to reduce corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent from 2007 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050;
- Developing a new Climate Action Plan this year to chart a pathway for reaching new climate targets;
- Adopting anti-idling regulations this February that prohibit unnecessary vehicle idling for more than three minutes;
- A wide variety of activities to reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy at the City, from using low carbon and energy efficient technologies in our civic buildings to a growing fleet of electric, hybrid and right-sized vehicles; and
- Promoting sustainable transportation by creating a new E-Mobility Plan this year to foster a growing electric vehicle charging network (www.coquitlam.ca/evcharging), rebate programs and education.
For more information on the City’s work in this area, visit www.coquitlam.ca/climateaction.
Going Beyond Earth Hour
For those who want to make a larger commitment to reducing their impact on the planet, www.earthhour.org offers a variety of other ideas, including:
- Eating a more plant-based diet;
- Reducing food waste;
- Choosing sustainable travel methods such as transit or cycling;
- Avoiding single-use plastics;
- Saving water and energy;
- Protecting natural spaces, including picking up trash and staying on marked trails;
- Buying products that create less waste and have less packaging; and
- Spreading the word about sustainable activities.
Nominate an environmental champion for a 2022 Environmental Achievement Award before May 8. For more information on award categories, criteria and nomination deadlines, visit www.coquitlam.ca/enviroawards.
Media Contact:
Erin Desautels
Environmental Sustainability Manager
604-927-3564
edesautels@coquitlam.ca