A Filipino holds a sign
beside candles to mark Earth Hour in the Philippines in 2008. Picture: EPA
A GROUP of Bruneians have banded together, calling on their
fellow countrymen to participate in this year's upcoming Earth Hour, and have
sought the local authorities' coordination to "switch off one of Brunei's icons"
in a bid to be internationally recognised for the country's contribution to the
world event.
The Sultanate with a population of more than 400,000 people will be among 17
countries and regions whose participation will be recognised for the first time
by Earth Hour's organisers and initiators, Earth Hour Global, which are based in
Australia.
The energy-awareness initiative began in 2007 when 2.2 million homes and
businesses in Sydney switched off lights simultaneously to highlight the cause
of combating climate change.
Not to be shadowed by prominent nations such as America and Australia, which
have manifested their commitment to Earth Hour by switching off lights at
landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Sydney Opera
House, the Earth Hour Global representatives in Brunei are hoping to work with
the authorities to switch off an equivalent icon here.
"For Brunei to be officially recognised, one of the criteria is that we need an
official icon that represents Brunei to be switched off," said Mohd Rimey, a
coordinator and one of the representatives of Brunei's Earth Hour initiative.
In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, he said they were in talks with
the authorities to switch off "one of the Sultanate's icons" during Earth Hour,
which takes place from 8.30pm to 9.30pm (local time) on March 27.
However, since the decision awaits approval, Mohd Rimey did not disclose the
exact "icon" proposed but it is hoped that it would be a significant building in
the Brunei-Muara District.
Although, the blackout, as well as all other Earth Hour initiatives that take
place, will have to be done voluntarily, otherwise it will not count, he
explained. "It has to be from their own free will," said Mohd Rimey.
If authorised, supporters of Brunei's participation in Earth Hour will gather at
the icon representing the Sultanate, while others will switch off non-essential
lights and appliances to mark the one-hour event.
The Brunei representatives have drawn mass interest from the local public
through their online social-network accounts at Facebook (Earth Hour Brunei) and
Twitter (earthhourbrunei). As at press time yesterday, their Facebook site had
listed some 1,579 members.
Private and public institutions have also joined and supported the global cause
in past Earth Hour events, when Bruneians joined in unofficially on an
individual basis. HSBC Brunei's Corporate Sustainability Manager Lim Boon Teck
posted the bank's support on the Facebook site yesterday.
"HSBC Brunei is in on Earth Hour. As per last year, all lights at our BSB
(Bandar Seri Begawan) branch will be off. We need more people to participate,"
he posted.
Mohd Rimey remarked that the real message behind Earth Hour was not limited to
switching off lights but extended to other relevant energy-saving initiatives
and the fight against climate change.
"Earth Hour, by definition, is much more symbolic. It's about consuming less
energy and lowering our carbon footprint," he said.
"We want to tell the world that Brunei cares as well," he added. "This year we
want to be recognised as a group of Bruneians, for Brunei to be recognised (as
taking part in Earth Hour)".
Those interested in joining Earth Hour can register through the Earth Hour
Global website, earthhour.org, or enlist through the Earth Hour Brunei Facebook
account.
Mohd Rimey said that they registered themselves to Earth Hour Global in
mid-February this year and started with about 10 official representatives for
Brunei and have since been recruiting more members.
The founding group hopes the activities conducted to commemorate Earth Hour will
be showcased online through the Earth Hour website.
