Defence Switches Off For Earth Hour

Department of Defence Media Mail List
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THE HON. DR MIKE KELLY MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support

Friday, 27 March 2009

Defence Switches Off For Earth Hour

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr. Mike Kelly AM MP, today announced that Defence will participate in Earth Hour 2009 to demonstrate its commitment and contribution to reducing global warming and combating climate change.

“To support Earth Hour 2009 all Defence sites across Australia will switch off non-essential lights and other electrical equipment in facilities wherever possible,” Dr Kelly said.

“Many Defence establishments around Australia will also promote and celebrate Earth Hour with local events to bring greater awareness to the important need to reduce global warming and combat climate change.”

Dr Kelly said that Defence had signed up for Earth Hour since its inception in 2007 and last year around 1300 buildings, representing 1,500,000 square metres of building space, participated in Earth Hour 2008 and made a substantial reduction to Defence’s energy load.

As well as supporting Earth Hour 2009, ongoing energy efficiency initiatives and programs are in place to reduce energy consumption across the Defence estate.

Earth Hour 2009 is scheduled to start at 8:30 pm AEST on Saturday 28 March.

Earth Hour began on 31 March 2007 when 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses, including Defence, turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour - to take action on climate change.

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