If it were not for a small group of junior college students from SPJC not much attention would have been given to the Earth Hour worldly cause here in San Pedro. As part of their Conservation of the Reef course led by professor Valentine Rosado, this small group of six San Pedro Junior College students organizing an event for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28. They encouraged island residents to partake in Earth Hour’s campaign of turning off their lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Ana Ico, Priscilla Torres, Evaly Duncan, Earl Sutherland, Malene Lopez and Yesenia Rhaburn managed to organize a parade that led residents from Central Park to Boca del Rio Park where a bonfire was set up. The response from the community overwhelmed the organizers of the event as they did not expect such a large gathering at the Boca del Rio Park.
The lights were shut off at the park where the crowd spent the evening under the stars. Mr. Angel Nunez, Author of 25 Years Ago, took time to tell a few stories of the life in San Pedro Village when there was no electricity whatsoever. It was very interesting to see the young children and youth gather around Mr. Nuñez to listen to his stories and anecdotes. They were very aware of the importance and significance of Earth Hour and eager to join in the conversation of conservation and protecting our environment.
The organizers of this event did an excellent job in pro-actively encouraging Ambergris Caye residents to participate in this global event that had people take one hour of their time to help Mother Earth heal.
Vote Earth –Your Light Switch is Your Vote
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour was taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH was the global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community; a call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009.
Earth Hour was an awareness campaign based on the responsibility that each of us should have with respect to Climate Change and the personal actions that we could take in our homes, environment and work that can help mitigate the effects of this catastrophic phenomenon.
