If the YMCA health and fitness centres look a bit darker than usual on Saturday night, don’t worry! It’s all intentional.
Between 8:30pm-9:30pm on Saturday, March 29, the YMCA will once again participate in Earth Hour, a worldwide movement that raises awareness about environmental issues by encouraging people to turn off their lights for one hour.
Earth Hour is an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, and since 2007, it has grown to over 7000 participating cities in 154 countries. The event is only an hour long, but the symbolic action has inspired individuals, businesses, and organizations to continue to take up the challenge to help protect the health of our planet. In India, solar-powered lights were installed in three villages that did not have electricity. In the United States, LED lights were installed by girl scouts. And in Uganda, the first Earth Hour Forest was held!
“We are proud to participate in Earth Hour, which symbolizes our commitment to protecting the environment and to finding solutions for climate change.” Brampton YMCA’s Manager of Facilities, Joshua Cherian, noted ahead of its sixth participating year.
As well, some YMCA childcare centres will mark Earth Hour on Friday by turning off all non-essential lighting.
What will you do for Earth Hour?
