Singapore, 19 March 2013 – This Earth Hour, more than 100 buildings, locations and organisations around Singapore will switch off their lights to mark their commitment to save the planet.
Iconic structures dotting the Marina Bay skyline, including ArtScience Museum, Gardens by the Bay, Esplanade, The Fullerton Heritage comprising The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House, the Helix Bridge, the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion and Singapore Flyer, will turn off their lights on 23 March 2013 for one hour from 8.30 – 9.30pm, joining a global community of national monuments around the world that will do the same to show their support for our planet.
The three tallest buildings in Singapore – One Raffles Place, Republic Plaza and United Overseas Bank Plaza – will also participate in the symbolic switch-off.
Besides switching off the lights, WWF-Singapore is promoting the adoption of four lifestyle changes this year using the “I Will If You Will” platform, inviting individuals and organisations to challenge each other as an ongoing environmental commitment beyond the hour. The four key actions are to:
- Reduce use of plastic bags
- Turn up their air-conditioning by one degree
- Switch to energy-efficient LED light, and
- Take short showers
Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC) Mr Teo Chee Hean said, “I am happy to know that WWF Singapore is actively promoting simple lifestyle changes that we can all do to make a difference for climate change. Encouraging people and organisations to turn up their air-conditioning by one degree or switching to energy-efficient lighting is also aligned with our efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. I hope more Singaporeans will make these lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Earth Hour will spark the imagination of individuals and businesses on sustainable energy sources and usage. This will be exemplified through the Dance 2 Power Earth Hour event, where the footwork of participants will be converted to electricity via special kinetic energy pads, seen for the first time in Singapore. The electricity generated will be used to power the screening of animation film Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax as part of the evening‟s activities.
“We hope to inspire people with the Dance 2 Power event. This activity is our way of connecting people to the message that our lifestyles can be environmentally friendly and not a series of do‟s and don‟t‟s. Dance 2 Power aptly demonstrates that energy conservation, if creatively approached, can also be fun. Each one of us has the power to decide if we want a future that is doom and gloom or to come together to re-energise the only planet we have with more sustainable energy sources,” said Ms Elaine Tan, CEO, WWF-Singapore.
To add to the fun element, fitness club Physical ABuse will be leading participants in Zumba and Bokwa workouts for one hour, from 5.30 – 6.30pm. The public can register on the Earth Hour microsite at http://earthhour.wwf.sg/, or on-site at the Earth Hour event at the Float@Marina Bay, from 4.30pm onwards.
Local and regional artistes will be lending their support to Earth Hour Singapore with their presence at the event, including Earth Hour ambassadors Nadya Hutagalung, Utt Panichkul, YouTube stars Hirzi and Munah, as well as local acts Jack and Rai, Charlie Lim, Hui Xian and Tay Kewei. Kiss92 DJ Jeremy Ratnam, UFM100.3 DJs Xin Ying and Jian Wen, and Hot FM91.3 DJs Charmaine Yee and Cheryl Miles will be hosting the celebration for the evening. In addition, Hot FM91.3 DJs have also committed that they will do their show in the dark if 913 of their listeners promise to turn up their airconditioning by one degree.
Earth Hour 2013 is made possible with the support of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) as the Official Venue Partner for the Lights Out event to be held at Marina Bay Singapore, National Environment Agency (NEA), National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), official radio stations Hot FM91.3, Kiss 92FM and UFM 100.3, major sponsor IKEA, sponsors Marina Bay Sands, NTUC FairPrice and Singapore Post, as well as
partners – Philips Lighting, Clear Channel, Crown Worldwide, Leo Burnett, Mindshare, SMRT, StarHub, The Singapore Scout Association, Weber Shandwick and 8 Days.
