By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (17/03)-Jakarta’s Governor Fauzi Bowo declared his commitment to organizing climate change global campaign “Earth Hour” for the third time. Not only as one-day celebration, Earth Hour 2011 is expected to be able to build up public awareness particularly Jakarta people to be more environmentally friendly as well as implement energy efficiency as an collective effort to create eco-friendly culture.
The Governor’s call for action on Earth Hour was delivered in Earth Hour Press Conference which took place in J.W. Marriot Hotel, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (16/03). CEO of WWF-Indonesia Dr. Efransjah, Chairperson of WWF-Indonesia Board of Trustee Pia Alisjahbana, local government officials, and numbers of Earth Hour 2011 corporate partners attended the event. 
This year, the largest voluntary action for the environment in history with lights going out for one hour will be held on Saturday on 26 March 2011 at 8.30-9.30 pm. Demonstrating the city’s support on the global 60-minute black out initiative, the national and city iconic buildings comprising National Monument (Monas), Presidential Palace, Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle, Arjuna Wiwaha Statue, Pemuda Statue, and Jakarta City Hall will be switched to “off” during the Earth Hour.

“Besides the city and national iconic buildings, I also urge all communities around the main streets such as Sudirman, Thamrin, Gatot Subroto, and HR. Rasuna said to join the campaign,” he continued.
As chairman of Association for Provincial Governments of Indonesia (APPSI), Fauzi Bowo tries to gain more support from other cities.“Beside encouraging the provincial governments to participate in Earth Hour 2011 on 26 March, I also try to make them understand and acknowledge the importance of reducing energy consumption in creating a better earth for the next generation, all the world citizens,” he said.
This year, not only Jakarta participating the massive call for action on climate change, other big cities such as Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya have also stated its commitment to join Earth Hour 2011.

The CEO of WWF-Indonesia, Dr.Efransjah said that Earth Hour 2011 aims at promoting energy efficiency as part of lifestyle.
“ A special Earth Hour “60+” logo reflects to go beyond the hour. It is not enough with only participating in Earth Hour, but this small action should continue to be demonstrated in daily behaviour in order to effectively reduce the greenhouse gases. Earth Hour is the starting point of our commitment to create a worth living planet,” he emphasized.
As WWF’s responsibility regarding energy solution, he continued, WWF used Earth Hour 2011as a momentum for developing renewable energy in isolated area which hasn’t been provided with electricity.
“With the support from OSO Group, we built Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) in Harowu village, Central Kalimantan. The operation of 15 KW plant is expected to generate power for 60 households in the village,” Efransjah said.