Earth Hour - 31 March 2007

Published: 31st March 2007

The NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is taking part in Earth Hour at 7.30pm on 31 March 2007 when residents, businesses and organisations in Sydney turn off their lights for one hour.

Organised by WWF-Australia and Fairfax, the world first initiative is illustrating how each individual can make small adjustments to the way they live and help to slow the current rate of global warming.

Some facts about global warming

  • 69% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production. Source CSIRO.
  • October 2006 was by far the hottest October on record for NSW with the statewide average maximum temperature more than 3.2ºC above the historical average of 24.4ºC (records since 1950). Australian Government- Bureau of Meteorology
  • By 2100, up to 15,000 Australians could die every year from heat-related illnesses and the dengue transmission zone could reach as far south as Brisbane and Sydney if we continue to allow [greenhouse gas] emissions to increase.
    (Australian Medical Association).
    (source:www.wwf.org.au)

What the NSWFB is doing?

Commissioner Mullins has registered his commitment to Earth Hour and encouraged fire stations to turn off computer monitors and unessential lighting in stations and office buildings for sixty minutes from 7.30pm on Saturday 31 March. The NSWFB has also registered our support by signing our commitment on www.earthhour.org.au.

What you can do?

The principle behind Earth Hour is to provide every individual with the knowledge that electricity consumption in Australia is the largest contributor to our global emissions and that small actions by every individual can make a big difference. If you sign up to take part in Earth Hour, WWF will provide you with a pack of additional information on how to cut your emissions (and your energy bill).

Safety Messages

If candles are used, the NSWFB recommends following these safety precautions:

  • Ensure candles are in a safe, secure position, and never leave them unattended or in precarious places where they may fall or set alight flammable items, such as curtains.
  • Always keep them out of reach of children.
  • Ensure candles are properly extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed.
  • Have working smoke alarms in your home and a written home escape plan