Lisa Meuser (www.themeusproductions.ca) has produced a great video of interviews and people’s thoughts about Earth Hour.  Thanks Lisa!

The following is an email exchange between myself and a Carleton University Journalism student. (Kevin)

With this event, what kind of statement are you hoping to make to the Canadian government?

Every participant in Earth Hour is hoping to increase awareness of climate change issues – and that is across the globe.  We’ve invited people in Ottawa to gather on Parliament Hill to send a message to the Canadian government that there is a huge desire among Canadians for real and immediate action on climate change issues.

What do you think the significance of Earth Hour is in a larger context of environmental awareness and change?

One of my favourite sayings is “Common sense is just sense made common”.  By raising awareness of climate change issues among Canadians Earth Hour is helping to prepare the way for change to occur.  As Canadians become more aware of the need to reduce energy demand and shift to a sustainable Green economy they will demand that our Government take the necessary steps to reach those goals.

OTTAWA – The Green Party is hosting a candlelight vigil on Parliament Hill to commemorate Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27th.  At 8:30pm the lights on Parliament Hill will be turned off and for sixty minutes the participants will be joining in the global Earth Hour movement calling for immediate action on climate change issues.

“Millions of people across the globe will participate in Earth Hour this year and that shows there is a huge desire for immediate action on climate change issues” said Kevin O’Donnell, Green Party president for the Ottawa Centre Electoral District Association. “The recent ‘No Prorogation’ rallies across Canada show that when Canadians band together at the grassroots level the effect can be immediate and powerful.  The Green Party is inviting everyone to join us for Earth Hour on Parliament Hill and continue converting symbolic action into real political change.”

Event: Earth Hour Candlelight Vigil
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time: 8:30pm
Location: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario.
Information: www.ottawagreens.ca

The vigil is open to the general public.  Participants are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early in order to be present when the lights are turned off at 8:30pm.
About Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 8:30 PM (local time) to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, and has since grown into a global movement with a goal of reaching one billion people in thousands of cities in 2010.