Red Deer’s Mayor Morris Flewwelling is challenging Grande Prairie to join Red Deerians and the millions around the world to participate in Earth Hour on March 31.

“It’s inspiring to see the continued efforts of Red Deer residents and businesses, who year after year participate in the Earth Hour movement,” said Bailey Doepker, environmental program specialist. “We continue to promote Earth Hour with the goal of increasing public awareness about reducing energy-use not just for one hour, but hopefully everyday.”

This year Earth Hour lands on March 31st from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and the City of Red Deer will once again participate by shutting down non-essential lights at City owned facilities.

“2012 will be the fourth year that Red Deer has participated in Earth Hour and this year’s theme is ‘Uniting People to Protect the Planet’,” said Doepker. “Hopefully Earth Hour 2012 will give us a chance to reflect on our energy consumption, make some small changes together as a community and beat Grande Prairie in the process.”

Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund, started in 2007 in Sydney where 2.2 million electricity consumers switched off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. In 2008 the message grew into a global movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. In 2011 Earth Hour experienced its most successful year with a record 135 countries and 5,200 cities across the world participating.

For more information on Earth Hour, climate change or other City of Red Deer environmental initiatives, please go to www.reddeer.ca/environment.

– Fawcett