This email was sent to users with the following roles: area representative, editor, membership secretary, paid2006, paid2007, paid2008, secretary

Dear Member of HVRA

It started last year in Sydney, Australia. A small idea. The Citizens of Sydney decided to turn their lights out for an hour to send a message there is a need for action on climate change. More than two million people joined. They saved 24.86 Tonnes of carbon dioxide, took the equivalent of 48,613 cars off the road for an hour... all by turning off their lights!

This year, it is going worldwide. Cities as diverse as Atlanta, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Phoenix, Ottawa, and yes the city of Toronto, have signed on. We can send a signal of concern about greenhouse gas emissions and the environment by saving power by swtching off for an hour from 8 to 9 pm on Saturday March 29

Essentially the idea is that business, government and citizens will co-operate in turning off all electrical lights and appliances too if appropriate, in order to:
1: raise consciousness about our individual on-going carbon footprint
2: actually see a result from a change, if only for an hour, in our behaviour.
3: Knowing that there is power in numbers and that some big problems can be tackled co-operatively

For further information on Earth Hour world wide and in Canada, you can check out the the Toronto Star Website

http://www.thestar.com/earthhour?gclid=CKGc4Pzv0pECFQKYQAodqk7eYg

At their meeting last week, the Board of endorsed what it thinks is a worthwhile grassroots initiative to show public support for stronger measures to combat climate change. The Board now asks you, the general membership, if you approve that endorsement. Should you agree, we stand by ready to
-- flyer
-- do a door to door information campaign in cooperation with student volunteers from the University of Toronto Schools

We of course would welcome further suggestions for getting the message out or celebrating the occasion should this initiative be approved.

As individuals, you can also sign up at the following link:
http://www.earthhour.org/

Let us know you thoughts in next few days - no later than Sunday March 1st

With all good wishes

Rory 'Gus' Sinclair
Chair