HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-008 - City Participation in Earth Hour InitiativeReport To: Community Services Committee
Date of Meeting: February 9, 2009
Submitted By: Mark Hildebrand, Director Community Programs and Services
ext. 2687
Prepared By: Janice Ouellette, Facilitator of Volunteer Resources and
Community Engagement ext. 2227
Ward(s~ Involved: All
Date of Report: January 21, 2009
Report No.: CSD-09-008
Subject: City Participation in Earth Hour Initiative
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener's registration and participation in Earth Hour on March 28,
2009 be approved; and
That staff be directed to find ways of encouraging other citizens, businesses and
organizations within the community to participate.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of Earth Hour is to raise awareness about climate change by encouraging as many
people, businesses and organizations as possible to turn off their lights for one hour, showing
that we can all take simple steps to help reduce our environmental footprint.
Earth Hour is an initiative that was first launched in 2007, in Australia, by the City of Sydney.
On March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for
one hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for
one hour, which is the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour. Since then,
Earth Hour has grown into a global initiative. In 2008, millions of people, in hundreds of cities, in
more than 30 countries switched off their lights for Earth Hour.
In Canada, about 10 million people in more than 150 cities from coast-to-coast switched off their
lights for Earth Hour in 2008. The City of Kitchener worked in partnership with the Cities of
Waterloo and Cambridge to promote Earth Hour 2008 asking residents and the business
community to participate by turning off their lights. The City of Kitchener also participated by
turning out all lights in city facilities with the exception of emergency lighting. The result was that
Kitchener's energy consumption was reduced by 3%.
In 2009, Earth Hour is expected to be even more far-reaching. Dozens of countries have
already signed up to participate and make a difference to help fight climate change.
Reoort No. CSD-09-008 Paae 2
REPORT:
At the direction of City Council and through significant community input, the City of Kitchener
has identified the environment as one of its top seven priorities. The Earth Hour initiative is
another public vehicle for the Corporation to demonstrate its commitment to the environment
and to encourage others to participate.
The committee of staff responsible for the organization of events surrounding the City's annual
Earth Day celebrations believe that participating in and promoting Earth Hour has the potential
to help create greater awareness for the environment within our community. Pending Council
approval, participation by the City will include extinguishing all lights in city facilities for one hour
on March 28th, 2009 from 8:30 - 9:30 pm, where appropriate and with the exception of
emergency lighting. Staff will also work with any rental groups at our facilities to explore
opportunities to turn off the lights during that hour if it falls within their rental period. Staff will
also encourage citizens, other businesses, and organizations to participate in this initiative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Earth Day committee has identified this initiative as a priority for 2009. Funds from the
City's Earth Day account will be allocated to help promote this initiative to residents, businesses
and other organizations. Other promotional activities related to Earth Day will have their funding
reduced as a result.
City of Kitchener staff is in contact with staff from neighbouring municipalities and are working
towards coordinating and sharing promotion on this initiative to help increase effectiveness
while sharing the costs. Depending on the number of other municipalities who choose to
participate in Earth Hour and join in cooperative promotions, staff anticipate the cost to range
from $3000 - $5,000, a significant portion of this amount for radio advertisements.
COMMUNICATIONS:
In addition to the city's own participation on Earth Hour hand communication and support across
the corporation) the Earth Day committee has identified a clear opportunity to use this initiative
to help build community awareness on climate change.
Working with the Earth Day committee, staff within the Corporate Communications and
Marketing division will implement a similar communications plan on this initiative as in 2008.
This includes but is not limited to posters at all city facilities, working with the media for news
coverage in advance of March 28, an article in the next issue of Your Kitchener, direct
communications with community groups and organizations, and radio ads encouraging others to
participate in the initiative.
CONCLUSION:
Earth Hour is a grassroots, global initiative that is effectively helping raise awareness on how
small initiatives can lead to big impacts in fighting climate change. It also has the potential for
neighbourhood-based events that build community. As a community leader on environmental
initiatives and community development, staff believes it is appropriate for the City of Kitchener to
participate in Earth Hour and to help encourage others to participate.
Mark Hildebrand
Director of Community Programs and Services