Earth Hour has caught on in city

KOCHI: Four years after Kochi started observing Earth Hour, the one hour ‘lights off’ campaign has become an event that residents look forward to every year thanks to online and broadcasting media as well as word of mouth campaign. Across the city resident associations, commercial establishments and NGO’s have declared solidarity with the concept and will switch of lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on March 31.
“The presence of FM radio channels has helped this campaign. Kochi residents are very receptive and they support environment causes, I have noticed this trait during other campaigns. However, like last year, there are chances for very less participation from school and college students since vacations have started. Students, especially young kids, play a major role as they can coax parents to join their cause. Last year, we approached a couple of schools and asked authorities to notify kids, but they said they were not in a position to help,” said Planet Earth (NGO) secretary Suraj Abraham.
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Ernakulam will switch off their lights at their centres in Palarivattom, South and Kadavanthra on Saturday. YMCA assistant secretary Princely Vipin said the organization has always supported this campaign after it was introduced four years ago. Around 121 inmates at these centres will join the campaign, he said. Similarly other working women and men hostels in the city will switch of lights for one hour.
Word of mouth campaign plays a major part in the success of Earth Hour, said Cochin Refinery manager Hari Nath. “This year we have asked many corporate establishments and resident associations to spread the word among their employees and residents. They have agreed and kept their word. Public participation has increased manifold thanks to their awareness about global warming. We are yet to taste success in rural areas since people here are unaware about such international events,” he said.