Han Ximin
LIGHTS were switched off at some landmark buildings and residential estates between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Shenzhen to observe Earth Hour on Saturday to arouse awareness of environmental protection.
Dozens of skyscrapers and hundreds of companies in Futian CBD participated in the global campaign and an unplugged concert was staged to mark the beginning of low-carbon year.
The one-hour campaign helped save an estimated 33,900 kwh, equivalent to reduced consumption of 13.56 tons of coal, Shenzhen Power Supply Co. sources said.
Lights in major buildings at Shenzhen University were dimmed at 8:30 p.m. when the shape of SZU was formed in candle light at the basketball court.
A man named Huang, 36, who lives at Le Parc went for a walk with his wife on Lian Hua hill.
We often spend nights watching TV, playing computers, but tonight, we planned a walk and attended the concert, Huang said. Switching the lights off for one hour does not save much energy, but it can change people s thinking, said Huang.
At Yitian Village, students of eight schools started promoting Earth Hour on Saturday afternoon by handing out leaflets in the neighborhood.
Many hotels in Shenzhen also turned off the lights in some public areas, replacing them with candle light.
This event is meaningful and everybody should contribute to protect the planet. It is environmental awareness education, a guest who dined at the Shangri-la Hotel in Futian said.
Earth Hour is a symbolic event to demonstrate that small actions, such as turning off lights for one hour, can collectively make a difference.
Shenzhen was among 86 cities in China to participate in Earth Hour. More than 3,200 companies and buildings in Hong Kong joined the campaign, a record number.
Earth Hour was first started in Australia in 2007 to bring the community together to acknowledge the importance of reducing the consumption of the Earth s natural resources.
In the fifth year, more than 4,000 towns and cities in 134 countries and regions participated in Earth Hour, which is organized by the World Wildlife Foundation.
