[First published on 29 March, 2012] Schools and universities in Hong Kong have been busy teaching students the importance of energy conservation to mark Saturday’s Earth Hour at 8.30pm. The annual “lights off” idea has grown into a global phenomenon. People in Hong Kong will join 1.8 billion others in 135 countries by turning off non-essential lights to show support for Earth Hour. More than 3,100 businesses in the city have agreed to take part,and Government House, the ChiefExecutive’s office and several iconicbuildings will also participate. This year, all of Hong Kong’s universities, together with more than 310 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, have agreed to support the event. Peak School will be holding its Earth Day today. Students will dress in black or white to symbolise switching off the lights, and turn off all electrical appliances from 10am until noon. Students will bring their lunch in recyclable containers to support the idea of reducing waste. Queen’s College Old Boys’ Association Secondary School will turn off lights during lessons and lunch time today and tomorrow. Students and teachers at Sha Tin College will try not to turn on electrical items today from 11am to noon. Tomorrow it will hold a “no resources day”, when teachers will try not to use paper during the day. Also tomorrow, Bradbury School will turn off lights for an hour from 11.30am. Renaissance College will stage an Earth Day-themed extended advisory session. Teachers will hold a pop quiz, recycled paper activity, and think up sustainability ideas. All lights and air conditioning will be switched off from 11am to noon. Do your part – switch off!
