Whereas climate change is the biggest environmental threat to our planet and a major concern for all Canadians; and,
Whereas at exactly 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019, major cities around the world will turn off their lights and electrical power for one hour to raise awareness about climate change and to symbolize that, working together, the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming; and,
Whereas the event, called “Earth Hour”, began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as 2.2 million people turned off their lights to take a stand against climate change; and,
Whereas since then, it has become an annual, globally-observed event; and,
Whereas participating in Earth Hour sends a powerful message to every citizen and business around the world that it’s possible to take action on climate change and that switching off our lights and electrical power is just one simple action we can take to help make a difference; and,
Whereas in the last several years, Newmarket has continued to be a leader in this effort, with one of the highest rates of reduction in electricity consumption in the GTA; and,
Therefore be it enacted by the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the Town of Newmarket as follows:
- That at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019, the Corporation of the Town of Newmarket will join other cities around the world in literally “turning out the lights” by shutting off all non-essential lighting and power in all of its facilities, where feasible, and without jeopardizing safety, for one full hour; and,
- That participation in Earth Hour by the Corporation of the Town of Newmarket will be widely promoted and publicized in order to raise awareness about this important issue and in order to encourage every individual, household and business in town to join in by turning off their lights and electrical power for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019 wherever possible to safely to so; and,
- That a copy of this Resolution will be forwarded to every municipality in the GTA.