(Memorandum to all Ministers)

Earth Hour is an outstanding initiative of WWF-Australia and Fairfax Media, publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald that calls on individuals, households and businesses in Sydney and around the globe to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday, 29 March 2008 between 8pm and 9pm.

Last year over 2 million Sydney residents and more than 2000 businesses participated in the inaugural Earth Hour, reducing Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% over the hour, the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one year.

This year, the event has expanded from its Sydney home to 24 cities around the globe, including four more Australian cities. The event has the full support of the NSW Government.

Earth Hour promotes the simple action of turning off non-essential lighting for one hour to demonstrate a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to show that individuals can make a difference in the fight against climate change.

The event is voluntary and relates to non-essential lighting – not lighting that impacts on public safety. Earth Hour will therefore not involve street lights, train stations or other public areas.

I urge all NSW Government agencies to take part in Earth Hour 2008 – where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Agencies can register for Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org/sign-up

Morris Iemma
Premier