Lights off at Monash Sunway for Earth Hour

26 March 2009

Monash University will join thousands of corporations and individuals around the world this Saturday, March 28, in switching off non-essential lighting during the Earth Hour - from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

At this time, selected cities all over the world will turn off their non-essential lights for an hour as a mark of effort to conserve energy.

At the Sunway campus, a large number of non-essential lights will be switched off during that time, with most of the other lights dimmed.

Elsewhere at Monash, an outdoor event has been scheduled at the Caulfield campus in Melbourne with live music, jugglers, guest speakers and workshops.

Paul Barton from the Office of Environmental Sustainability said Monash was committed to a target of a 20 per cent reduction (from 2005 levels per student) in energy consumption across all Australian campuses by 2010.

"The University's participation in Earth Hour is just one of the many initiatives currently underway to raise awareness of sustainability issues and to help reduce our carbon footprint," Mr Barton said.

"I hope all Monash staff and students will take part in this important event."

Students and staff are requested to participate by switching off all non-essential lighting, computers, equipment and appliances provided it does not compromise core business activities and safety. More than 1,000 participated last year.

The Monash Earth Hour program is also part of the Monash Sustainability Month – which highlights the University's commitment to sustainability in education, practice and research.

The Sunway Group, with whom Sunway campus is partnership through the Sunway Education Trust, is also participating in the Earth Hour program in a big way.

Aside from a major ‘lights off’ event at the Sunway Pyramid Mall on the evening of March 28, the glittering lights around the Bandar Sunway area and other non-essential lighting at the various subsidiaries will also be switched off during the Earth Hour. - Jasbir Singh.

For more information:

• Monash Sustainability Month
  

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Monash University Sunway Campus will switch-off all non-essential lighting from 8.30pm to 9.30pm this Saturday, March 28, in support of Earth Hour