CRAIGIEBURN Resort in Bowral is adding a touch of romance to Earth Hour 2009.
Along with cities, businesses and households all over the world, Craigieburn is switching off its lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on Saturday to make a symbolic point about the need for action on climate change.
The internal public lighting will be switched off and resort guests will be given an Earth Hour postcard when they check in, encouraging them to turn off the lights and non-essential appliances in their rooms for an hour.
Craigieburn's Montfort Restaurant is also harnessing the romantic atmosphere of Earth Hour by offering a candelit dinner on Saturday.
Craigieburn Resort General Manager Chris Owen said Earth Hour was a small but meaningful gesture that he hopes will inspire people to cut energy use.
Earth Hour is being supported by selected Peppers properties all around the country.
For Earth Hour dinner bookings phone 4862 8000.
IT'S lights out at Oxley College for Earth Hour this Saturday.
The Burradoo school will join more than 1000 towns and cities across the world, from the Chatham Islands to the Arctic Sea, in turning off their lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm in a call for action on climate change.
Oxley College Parents and Friends (P&F) are inviting guests to their Earth Hour event to bring their own personal lighting, with a prize to be awarded for the most original (no naked flames).
The event is a great way to introduce young children to the importance of addresing climate change issues, as well as being a lot of fun.
The cocktail party style Earth Hour event will include a junk art exhibition and silent auction, with live music during the hour of darkness. The exhibition, sponsored by BDCU, will be open to the public on Sunday.
Earth Hour executive director, Andy Ridley said Earth Hour was more than just a call to action on climate change.
"Earth Hour is an opportunity for the global community to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common - the planet," he said.
"Whether it's joining your community in a town square to watch the city lights go dark or hosting a lights out party in your own home, I encourage everybody across the world to be a part of this historic occasion.
"Turn off your lights, celebrate the planet, enjoy the moment and cast your vote for Earth."
Bright advice on powering down for Earth Hour
Homes and businesses taking part in Earth Hour this month are being given simple tips on how to power down and save energy on the night and beyond.
EnergyAustralia's energy efficiency expert Paul Myors said Earth Hour on Saturday, 28 March was a symbolic reminder of the importance of using energy efficiently all year round.
'Being energy efficient is the first, easiest and cheapest step we can take to reduce our carbon footprint," Mr Myors said.
"Turning off lights for Earth Hour is an important gesture, but the key to making a difference all year round is by taking extra steps to reduce your power use.
"Before switching off lights, do a quick check to eliminate standby power. Check all your appliances including the TV, games consoles, stereo, computers and dishwasher and make sure they're turned off at the wall.
"Also avoid using heating and cooling appliances if you can. The weather in March is usually mild but if it's a cool night, put on warmer clothes and if it's hot, open windows and use fans instead of air conditioning.
"Check your pool pump running times so this big energy user is not pumping away during Earth Hour.
"When you reset the timer, make sure you don't waste power by running it for too long. As the weather gets cooler you can generally cut your pool pump running time by half in the non-swimming season.
My Myors said one in four families has a second fridge and if you're one of them, turn the fridge off for the hour.
"Before you turn your old second fridge back on, ask yourself if you need it at all given they can have emissions of more than one tonne of CO2 a year and add up to $200 to your electricity bill," he said.
My Myors also encouraged people planning to cook during Earth Hour to use gas barbeques and cook tops rather than electric stovetops and ovens, because gas has less than half the greenhouse emissions of electricity.
"Once you've gone over the house and switched off all non-essential power, turn off the lights and consider what steps you can take to be energy efficient all year," he said.
"With the recently announced Government rebates on ceiling insulation and solar hot water systems, there's never been a better time to make some of those bigger investments that can dramatically reduce greenhouse emissions and energy bills."
My Myors said the typical Australian household of four people produced the equivalent of about 10 tonnes of CO2 a year related to their energy use, but by being energy efficient people can slash their greenhouse gas emissions.
EnergyAustralia's Top 10 Energy Saving Tips
1. Don't leave appliances in standby mode - save up to $50 a year and 0.4 tonnes of CO2.
2. Use energy efficient light bulbs - save up to $50 per year and 0.4 tonnes of CO2.
3. Don't over heat or over cool rooms - save around $50 per year and 0.4 tonnes of CO2.
4. Use the line whenever the sun shines - save up to $40 per year and 0.3 tonnes of CO2.
5. Get rid of or turn off that old second fridge - save up to $200 per year and more than 1 tonne of CO2.
6. Shave two minutes off your shower - save up to $100 per year and 0.8 tonnes of CO2.
7. Install a triple star showerhead - save up to $100 a year on energy and water, and up to 0.8 tonnes of CO2.
8. Buy appliances with high star ratings - you will save on running costs and CO2 emissions.
9. Wash clothes in cold water - save around $40 per year and 0.3 tonnes of CO2.
10. Don't run your pool pump for too long - save up to $75 per year and 0.6 tonnes of CO2.
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