Earth Hour
8:30 p.m. on March 27, 2010

WHEREAS Global warming is having devastating effects all over the world and creating the potential for a world-wide ecological and economic catastrophe; and,

WHEREAS the City of Kingston has acknowledged the need to educate on the importance of global warming to significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions by the target year of 2014; and,

WHEREAS the City of Kingston has now been registered as a flagship city for "Earth Hour"; and,

WHEREAS on March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour reducing Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour; and,

WHEREAS at 8:30 pm on March 27, 2010, is also known and recognized as Earth Hour by many major global cities who are joining Earth Hour in 2010, continuing to turn a symbolic event into a global environmental movement; and,

WHEREAS Canadian citizens can make an immense contribution to inspiring people to take action on climate change; and,

WHEREAS "Kingston Unplugged", a Kingston based volunteer initiative including members of St. Lawrence College, Queen's University, the Sustainability Centre, and the media, believes that together, as united citizens against global warming, we can educate and inform in an entertaining way with an off the grid, family event; and,

WHEREAS it takes so little to make a difference; for one hour we can inspire people to take action on climate change;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and City Council urge all Kingston businesses to dim their signs and lights and urge restaurants to serve candlelight diners for one hour; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Mayor Harvey Rosen and City Council urge all citizens of Kingston to turn out their lights and reduce energy usage significantly for that one hour; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Mayor Harvey Rosen and City Council recognize 8:30 pm on March 27, 2010, as Earth Hour.

DATED at Kingston this 6th day of January, 2010
Harvey Rosen, Mayor