By: Lia Ogriesta

Pontianak (31/3) Tugu Digulist Untan roundabout was packed with Pontianak people on the peak night of Earth Hour 2012 celebration. Simultaneously, the lights illuminating Tugu Digulist and the corners of Untan roundabout and along Jl. A. Yani went dark. At other points, the darkness of Pontianak City as a form of 'One Hour for Earth' participation was also felt at Mercure Hotel, A. Yani Mega Mall, and Grand Mahkota Hotel. Earth Hour was also held in 25 other cities in Indonesia, as well as 146 countries around the world. 3,000 Pontianak residents took part among the 1.8 billion people worldwide who participated in this year's global energy saving campaign.

The series of events leading up to the peak of the Earth Hour commemoration at 20.30 - 21.30 WIB have started since noon. The Mayor of Pontianak, Sutarmidji, and the Vice Mayor, Paryadi, attended the peak event of Earth hour 2012. The excitement was seen from a number of stage acts. Among them were performances from band groups singing environmental-themed songs, regae, break dance and hip-hop. There were also BMX freestyler actions, dragon and lion dance attractions from MABT, body painting by painters, poetry reading, and marching band attractions that added to the excitement of the event.

At the ceremonial opening of Earth Hour 2012, the Mayor of Pontianak, Sutarmidji said "Actually, our people can save energy if they are invited. Sometimes, we just need to remind each other", he explained.He also said that the Pontianak City Government together with the Education Office will campaign on environmental issues, including issues related to energy saving, starting from the Kindergarten to High School level. "Thus, our children will then be accustomed to energy saving and other things related to the environment," Sutarmidji said.

Sutarmidji also appealed to the people of Pontianak to support activities related to environmental issues. "I would like to thank the people of Pontianak City who are very aware of the importance of waste management. So that many areas in Pontianak City are already clean, people do not litter, and a lot of waste has also been managed, even some urban villages already have garbage bins that can become economic commodities, "he continued. Sutarmidji also urged the people of Pontianak City to support activities related to environmental issues.

The peak of the blackout event centered at the Tugu Digulist Untan Roundabout was marked by the release of balloons by the Mayor of Pontianak. The action of distributing, lighting, and placing candles for the 60+ configuration as a symbol of energy saving was also followed by the road users who passed through the roundabout. Within 20 minutes, the 60+ configuration flame with 2,300 candles was formed. The song Indonesia Raya echoed from all participants present at the center point of Earth Hour Pontianak. The city of Pontianak went dark for an hour.

The one-hour blackout in Pontianak City managed to save 6 mega watts of power (6000 kwh). Assuming 1 liter of diesel produces 3 kwh of power, the fuel that can be saved within one hour of Earth Hour is 2 million liters.

The Mayor of Pontianak invited the community to make Pontianak City a city that really appreciates the available energy and can make the existing energy efficient, and can really use it only for important needs. "I hope this event will continue to other environmental issue campaigns, because this environmental issue will never end. Let us realize together that this earth must be preserved not for us, but for our children and grandchildren to come," he appealed.

Positive tones were also expressed by the people of Pontianak City who were involved in the celebration. "This event is our momentum and reflection together to start implementing a new lifestyle, which is environmentally friendly. At least I will start from myself. I will use water more economically and always dispose of garbage in its place. Hopefully, people can appreciate and love our earth more, one of which is through this energy-saving action. After one hour, make it a lifestyle!", said Rosdiyani from Yokita Adventure.

Also said by the Coordinator of Earth Hour Pontianak, Syahirsyah "We hope that this year's Earth Hour Pontianak campaign can inspire and motivate similar movements in other cities and regions in West Kalimantan, including in exploring and promoting the potential that West Kalimantan has in terms of renewable energy", he concluded. .

An hour is a small unit of one day when the earth rotates on its axis. A day is the smallest unit of a year (365 days) when the earth evolves. So, one hour should be the biggest chunk of time for us earth dwellers to make peace with the complexity of the earth. Let's make an eco-friendly lifestyle an integral part of our daily lives. After this one hour, make it a lifestyle.