Caribbean urged to join Earth Hour movement

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Caribbean nations are being urged to join other regions of the world in Earth Hour, a global activity intended to raise awareness of climate change. The concept is simple. On March 23, individuals and organisations in participating nations will turn off their non-essential lights for one hour. In 2012, official Earth Hour activities took place in more than 7,000 cities and towns across 152 countries. Heather Pinnock, Caribbean sustainability advocate and project manager for Earth Hour, said, “Caribbean nations are inherently climate sensitive, with our lives and livelihoods inextricably connected to our environment and therefore affected by climate change. “It is important for us to join in international conversations and activities which address these issues which are critical to our survival and prosperity,” she added. The Caribbean region is comprised of two dozen territories, most of which are small island developing states. Earth Hour is organised by the World Wildlife Fund and began in Sydney, Australia in 2007. “The event is a symbolic action, not a measurable energy saving or carbon reduction exercise,” Pinnock said.