Earth Hour in Labasa

from w
This story from Labasa about turning off the lights for an hour is rather ironic really because most of Suva and surrounds just lost their electricity for days because a tower tumbled down. Many, many times electricity goes off in parts of Fiji and of course in the Western side of Viti Levu with the massive floods many of the utilities are in chaos - clean water, electricity and so on. Anyway, it was a nice thing to do at St Mary's School in Labasa. Of course there was a time when most of the rural people out of Labasa never ever had electricity. When we lived at Nukutatava we used benzine and kerosene lights only.

Labasa earth hour the first ever
April 2, 2012 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
By LOSIRENE CHAND

Lights went off for one hour at Saint Mary’s Primary School in Labasa as everyone present observed earth hour on Saturday night.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) national project coordinator for the Earth hour programme Monifa Fiu said this was the first earth hour programme in the North.

“Please let the lights burn for those affected in Ba, Lautoka, Sigatoka, Nadi, to all our relatives and friends who are being affected by this weather.”

“Consider this our action and mission to change the planet for a better future. I would like to acknowledge our National Fire Authority, business stake holders and all here.”

Also partnering with WWF at the Earth Hour was Jessi Computers. Jessi Computers Earth Hour organiser Aaron Singh said this year, with a few friends and a number of corporate sponsors, the first Labasa earth hour has been witnessed.

He said all participating were asked to bring their own candles with them but light refreshments were prepared.

“This was a family oriented event and a chance for the local community to get together for a common cause. Whether it is turning off lights when not in use or opening windows instead of using air-conditioning, we can all make a difference.” He said the initiative would show everyone, for the first time in Labasa, from children to chief executives and politicians, that everyone has the power to change the world we live in.