Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 23 between 8.30 and 9.30pm and Climate Change Australia (CCA) is celebrating with a low-light dinner at the CWA rooms, Town Green Port Macquarie, from 7-10pm.
This is Port Macquarie – Hastings’ only listed public Earth Hour event and members of the community are welcome.
CCA President Harry Creamer said there will be delicious Thai food, lucky door prizes, an energy-saving trivia quiz and special guest Rob Oakeshott MP. Tickets are $28 per adult and $10 per child under 10 years.
Those attending should bring their own drinks and a small torch or camp light.
“Between 8.30 and 9.30 pm households and businesses are encouraged to switch off as many lights and appliances as it is safe to do so. After that, just become more energy efficient”, Mr Creamer said.
“Energy efficiency is the best way to cut power bills and carbon emissions – it’s being smarter with energy we already have. It saves money and helps our environment”, he said.
“The biggest users of energy in the household are hot water heating, space heating and cooling, fridges and lighting.
Here is our advice for saving energy:
1. Insulate your ceiling space – this makes your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
2. Install solar hot water heating – there are rebates to help pay for it.
3. Don’t overcool or overheat – every 1ºC adds 10% to power needed.
4. SOS – Switch off and save. Turn everything off at the power-point before you go to bed (except the fridge).
5. Know your electricity use – it’s on your bill. Find out how many kWh you use each day – 5, 10, 20 kWh? Aim to reduce it (an old fridge uses up to 4kWh per day, a new one 1.5kWh).
For Earth Hour enquiries and bookings please ring 6583 8798 or email cca_hastings@hotmail.com.au
To sign up your household, organisation or business for Earth Hour visit the web site www.earthhour.org.au
Tips, advice and resources for reducing energy use are available on the Office of Environment and
Heritage website http://www.savepower.nsw.gov.au
