Initiated by the World Wide Life Fund for Nature (WWF), this collective participation from people all over the world to save energy for one hour will start from 8.30pm local time tomorrow. In a press statement yesterday, the Department of Electrical Services said that Brunei's energy sources are non-renewable and are highly carbon-based. Towards ensuring that the future generation's needs are not compromised, it is crucial that smart steps are taken to conserve energy.

Energy saving and conservation were implemented

Both HSBC and Sheraton Hotel have already joined the Earth Hour bandwagon in doing their part to increase awareness on climate change.

Sheraton Hotel has already launched their energy saving week and associates of the hotel have been invited to sign a commitment to pledge in assisting the hotel in achieving its target of five per cent reduction in energy consumption this year.

They have also called Noor Dina Zharina Yahya, Special Duties Officer from the Energy Division, to provide tips on saving energy and its importance. Throughout the week, the hotel will also be organising various activities for its associates to create more awareness on climate change and will also have a mini-exhibition at the hotel lobby.

This Saturday, the hotel during the Earth Hour will turn off exterior lighting, dim or turn off non-essential interior lighting and use candlelight in appropriate public areas.

They are also inviting the public to have candlelight dinner with loved ones at the Tasek Brasserie, Deals Restaurant and Pizza Connection in support of this worldwide event.

The United Nations (UN), meanwhile, will also be observing Earth Hour this Saturday as part of its efforts to mobilise global support for a new agreement on climate change expected to be put forward in December in Copenhagen.

Earth Hour was launched two years ago and this year's combined efforts bring in more than 1,000 cities with close to one billion people taking part.

Many cities have come up with different ways to celebrate the global event. Some television networks during Earth Hour will also be off the air.

So far Amman, Bangkok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Manila, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Suva and Warsaw have committed themselves to the cause.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called Earth Hour as a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear message that they want action on climate change.

The DES said that energy saving efforts should be made on an ongoing basis and should not be done so exclusively in a short-term campaign. Locals interested in the Department's energy saving drive can get more information at www.energy.gov.bn.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin