THIS YEAR’S RECORD: 26 CITIES IN INDONESIA GO DARK FOR EARTH HOUR 2012

31 Mar 2012
by
  • Earth Hour 60+ is not only switching the lights off for one hour, it is also a commitment to internalizing the “green lifestyle” spirit everyday
  • A momentum for uniting more than 1.8 billions of world citizen in 147 countries

I will if You Will Challenge

Earth Hour, the largest voluntary action for the environment since 2009 is taking place now.

Switch off your lights and other electronic appliances for one hour, tonight, 31 March 2012, at 08.30-09.30 p.m (local time).

It is a symbolic action by individuals, groups of communities, corporations, as well as the government expressing their concern toward climate change. The switch off is conducted in a number of houses, cities, many countries worldwide. This simple movement may be an initial step toward bigger commitment.

This year, Earth Hour Indonesia launched “Ini Aksiku! Mana Aksimu?” (adopted from “I Will If you Will” challenge which is run globally by Earth Hour participants. The target is to encourage greater public to live sustainably in all parts of their lives. The Earth Hour Indonesia community have practiced several “green” actions and gained positive impacts from it, for instance energy and water efficiency practice, reducing the use of plastic bags, bringing your own water bottle, shifting to public transportation, cycling to work, planting trees, and many more.

Tonight, many groups of communities engaging with local figures and several big cities in Java-Bali for instance Jabodetabek (greater Jakarta), Bandung, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Purwokerto, Malang, Kediri, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Surabaya, and Denpasar will be commemorating Earth Hour. The city iconic buildings, commercial buidlings, billboards, and thousands of houses in those cities will be switched off. Other cities in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi such as Banda Aceh, Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Sangata, Balikpapan, Samarinda, Kotamobagu, Gorontalo, and Makassar have also committed to support Earth Hour. The communities in those cities voluntarily conducted the campaign. They ran the campaign by integrating it with green lifestyle campaign, both through online media or grass root actions.

In Jakarta itself, the symbolic switch off of the five iconic city buildings will take place in Central Park Mall in West Jakarta, led by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo as Earth Hour Indonesia ambassador, accompanied by a number of public figures as Earth Hour Indonesia supporters.

During the 60-minute switch off, a number of performing acts such as Saman dance from students in Madani school, choir performed by students of Elementary School 12 Bendungan Hilir, and other unique performances by community such as Jakarta Amateur Astronomers Association, Indonesia Sketcher, Urban Sketcher, Cartoonist, Line Magic, Yoyo, Parkour, Jumper Parkour Freerun, Peta Hijau Jakarta, and hundreds of cyclists.

Business sectors also hailed Earth Hour. A number of commercial buildings in Sudirman-Thamrin-Kuningan-Gatot Subroto have confirmed to join the 60-minute black out campaign. Several corporate partners namely Central Park Mall, Garuda Indonesia, Metro TV, PT Sharp Electronic Indonesia, The Body Shop, and Carrefour have stated their commitment to switching off their office buildings and outlets.

Jakarta Governpr Fauzi Bowo said, “As a commitment from Jakarta Government toward environment, I declare that Jakarta is ready to incorporate energy efficient and sustainable practices among its citizens. Hereby, I call on all cities in Indonesia to join Earth Hour 2012.”

Dr. Efransjah CEO WWF-Indonesia emphasized, “Jakarta has to become role model for other cities since it has major potential for energy efficiency, including the pioneer city for youth movement. Suprisingly, the enthusiasm has been greater than we had expected before. Last year there was only 7 cities participate in Earth Hour. Now 26 cities in Indonesia are joining this global campaign!”

Beside Indonesia, 147 countries are also taking part in Earth Hour 2012.

How to take part in Earth Hour 2012:

  1. Sign up at www.wwf.or.id/earthhour
  2. Spread the words to your network
  3. Participate in EARTH HOUR 2012: Saturday, 31 March 2012, 08.30 – 09.30 p.m (local time)
  4. Photos & scetches : http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthhour2011indo/
  5. Video : http://www.youtube.com/user/EarthHour2011Indo
  6. News: http://www.earthhour.wwf.or.id/news.php
  7. Blog : http://www.earthhour.wwf.or.id/article.php
  8. Support our online campaign:
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Earth Hour 2012