India to observe 'Earth Hour' on March 28

India will join rest of the world by observing `Earth Hour' to save energy as well as
environment on March 28. 

The people will be observing the Day by switching off all the lights and electrical appliances for an hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Began with one hour switching off lights at Sydney in Australia two years back, the `Earth Hour'was observed in 35
countries last year in an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint, the World Wide Fund for Nature (India) Education officer Dr Goldin Quadros said on Saturday.

This year India, especially Delhi and Mumbai will participate, he said adding that WWF was getting support from the government as well as the corporate houses. Lights would be switched off or dimmed at 11 PVR cinemas in Delhi and Mumbai and corporate offices. 

As per WWF this year, 50 lakh citizens of 377 cities from 74 nations are participating in this initiative. Kick-starting the `Earth Hour'campaign at the at green technology festival of the Chemical Engineering department at IIT  `Azeotropy' , Mumbai Mayor Dr Shubha Raul said it was important to cut down carbon level and the municipality will
be keen to help in the endeavour.

She has called for a meeting of all the corporators to brief them about the `Earth hour'on Monday and WWF will have a video show for them. The city mayor also started the signature drive in support of the 'Earth Hour'. This campaign will go around the
city and create among many more, she said.

Raul also said any new green technology that will be developed by the chemical engineers will have to be widely promoted in the city  keep the city free of air and water
pollution. 

Raul addressed the issues of global warming, the importance of saving energy and WWF's Earth Hour initiative to create awareness amongst people about global warming and conservation of the environment and natural resources.

WWF is also organising a human chain at Marine Drive. From Monday onwards, the WWF will also start campaign in schools and colleges. "Since exams are on, we have drawn up plans for only 100 schools," Quadros said.

In India, noted Bollywood actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan would lend his support to the campaign by promoting Earth Hour on his blog and Youtube, Quadros said.

He said that in Delhi, chief minister Sheila Dixit was committed to the cause. Among the corporate houses, WIPRO, HP, Google, TAj Group of hotels, ITC-welcome were committed.

Earth hour is not about a quantitative measure about saving electricity but a powerful symbol for the fact that its possible to take action against climate change, Quadros said.
It is to bring about awareness about the increasingly growing problem of climate change and to subsequently make changes in lifestyle that lead to wiser energy use.

India is making serious efforts on energy efficiency and renewable energy mainstreaming as far as carbon emissions are concerned, yet it is slated to become the third largest
emitter of carbon in the world.

"In the next few months, we will see a build-up to the United Nations Climate meet at Copenhagen for countries to come together and result in an agreement which is based on the principles of cooperative action and common but differentiated responsibility," he said.