Earth Hour, 28 March 2009, 8.30pm

At 8.30PM on 28 MARCH 2009, 1000 cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for ONE HOUR – sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

An initiative which started in Sydney in 2007 whereby lights were turn off for an hour, this noble gesture had spread across 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries across 18 timezones, and the campaign shifted from a Sydney event to a global sustainability movement a year later. An estimated 50 to 100 million people around the world switched off their lights for Earth Hour in 2008, and global landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Coliseum, the Coke billboard in Times Square and Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai darkened for one hour.

In what we hope will be the world’s largest mass participation event, Earth Hour 2009 will be the culmination of one billion people around the globe, in more than 1000 cities from business, government and the community turning off lights, and sending a message to world leaders in the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 that we need a commitment to actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the short and long term benefit of the planet.

It is our delight that Penang Butterfly Farm together with other major tourist attractions in Penang had the privilege to join hands and support this significant Earth Hour cause. For the first time ever, Penang will be supporting this effort with many interesting programs. Major shopping complexes, hotels, government state buildings and many other tourist attractions have pledged their support on 28 March 2009, 8.30pm to power down the electricity of their non-critical areas premises.

Prior to this, some organisations had taken up their own initiative to organise some interesting awareness programs such as Essay Competition, GREEN Performance and NO CAR DAY. Penang Butterfly Farm, having its role played in the nature and environment sustainability efforts will be distributing 100 Butterfly Host Plants to all invited guests during the official countdown day at Island Plaza, 8.30pm. These host plants are meant for greater propagation which in directly translates to more butterflies in our Earth. Having said this, butterflies which play an important role in pollination will interact with other animals, plants and the physical environment in the ecosystem. The effects of the global warming which had already begun will continue to deteriorate if the ignorance and selfishness of human beings toward Mother Nature sees no mercy and stop.

Earth Hour is simply a message of hope and action. Imagine what we can do if we act together. Already, through the extensive WWF International network, Earth Hour 2009 will be delivered in over 60 countries; the number growing is each day.

For the sake of our future generations and loved ones, pledge your support with us – Earth Hour 2009 today!