Earth Hour campaign held nationwide

(Bqp.vn) - Thousands of people gathered at the August Revolution Square in front of the Hanoi Opera House from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on March 29 to join the 2014 Earth Hour campaign.

The representatives of authorities pressing together the button, kick-starting the campaign. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

The lights and unnecessary electrical appliances of the buildings, shops and local families around the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi Opera House were turned off during one hour of the campaign.

A wide variety of unique arts performances were held at the Square to celebrate this year’s Earth Hour.

This is the sixth time Vietnam responds to the Earth Hour campaign launched by the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF). ‘Let’s unite to save the Earth’ is the message that this year campaign conveys to people around the world.

With the message of ‘Take actions for a greener Earth’ launched by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the event in Vietnam aims to raise public awareness of saving electricity and using power efficiently, towards stable socio-economic development, environmental protection and actively battling climate change.

Earlier in the morning, hundreds of the capital’s youth volunteers, residents and international friends gathered at the Youth Cultural Palace to cycle around the streets of Hanoi to propagate the 2014 Earth Hour. They also cleaned up the parks and the edges of the lakes where they passed through.

The campaign also took place simultaneously in major cities across the country.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a number of activities were held on March 29 at the City’s Youth Cultural House including changing old bulbs to energy saving light bulbs, an exhibition of recycled products and an exchange of volunteers.

In addition, the youth volunteers encouraged restaurants and cafes in the main streets to turn off their unnecessary electricity equipments during the earth hour.

Local residents in the central city of Da Nang also actively responded to the Earth Hour campaign by switching off lights and other non-essential power sources such as public lighting systems and advertising boards.

In Hue city, a programme themed ‘I will if you will’ was organised to boost the propaganda and encouragement of the community to join hands to protect environment and save energy.

Meanwhile, the Dak Lak provincial Youth Union organised practical activities in response to the Earth Hour, attracting numerous young people and local people, such as cycling, traditional dance performances and taking propaganda photos.

According to the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), Vietnam saved 431,000kWh of electricity, equivalent to VND650 million during this year Earth Hour campaign.

(Source: Nhan Dan)