We at the Bracebridge Horticultural Society have been following the worldwide interest in the Earth Hour event taking place on March 29 and are dismayed at the apparent lack of attention to it locally.

While Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes councils have passed motions to participate in the initiative, there has been very little information provided to encourage the general populace to take part.

We understand some facilities in the area will be powering down, and that schools in the area have been encouraged to take part in some way, but in order for any real impact to be made, the general public and businesses need to be aware of it and be shown how important it is to be a part of this worldwide event.

We were glad to see that Lakeland Power/Bracebridge Generation inserted a flyer with their recent billings to enlist some support for the plan.

One hour turning off our lights (and any other power usage possible) on a Saturday evening should be manageable for most residents and businesses. Such a short period of time may not seem like much of a statement, but it shows we are paying attention and care about the need to save power with its use of fossil fuels and resultant greenhouse gases.

If five or 10 per cent power saving can be made in our area for that hour, we may not see an appreciable saving in our individual electricity bills, but the overall effect will be noticeable.

We would ask that everyone in the area participate in this initiative by shutting off their lights for 1 hour, from 8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday evening, March 29 and be a part of an event taking place around the world.

Donna Wallace

President

on behalf of the Bracebridge Horticultural Society