Fiji’s first Earth Hour: MILLIONS SWITCH OFF AND SWITCH ON TO CLIMATE CHANGE

9 April 2008

Fijian households participate in Earth Hour 2008. ©Bernard Coetzee.

YOU made a difference by ‘switching off’ the lights on the March 29th when our tiny island nation of Fiji led the world in the fight against climate change.

Some of you sat outside your shops with candles, children reminded their parents to click the switch, some had kava in darkness in their village, others lit diya’s and candles when watching rugby, while some paddled to light torches.

At 8pm Fiji time, hundreds of individuals and businesses from at least five main islands of Fiji switched off and showed the world that Fiji is ready and willing to take action on climate change.

The Fiji Electricity Authority confirmed that when compared to a regular Saturday, the Earth Hour Saturday resulted in energy saving of approximately 11.2 megawatts or 14.1% during the 8pm to 9pm period. This is equivalent to supplying energy for 1 hour to 15 large five start hotels or Suva central business district switching off for one hour during peak business time. Everyone’s contribution lead to the reduction of 7.34 tonnes CO2e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Emission) from Fiji on the night. Carbon dioxide is the major green house gas which causes climate change. Households that participated in Earth Hour made energy savings totaling to $2,592.

Kesaia Tabunakawai, WWF South Pacific Programme Representative said,

“looking at the map of Fiji, the whole country seems to have supported Earth Hour. Commitments for ‘lights off’ came from Taveuni, Savusavu, Labasa, Levuka, Nausori, Suva, Sigatoka, Denarau, Lautoka, Lami, Kadavu and Nadi to name just a few. Even the President’s village, Viseisei - where the first indigenous people landed on Fiji - ‘switched off’ for Earth Hour. ”
This event was initially only aimed at Suva but the overwhelming media support and interest from around the nation made this a Fiji wide event.

Businesses, individuals and schools around Fiji showed their commitment to Earth Hour and to fighting the impacts of climate change.

Worlds Biggest Voluntary Switch Off

History was created with the largest voluntary power down or switch off around the world on the 29th March.

  • 421,991 individuals and 18,231 businesses signed up on the global Earth Hour website
  • 26 international Earth Hour flagship cities in 10 countries across the globe
  • 370 supporting cities around the world supported Earth Hour
  • Support from significant international landmarks included: Seoul Tower the tallest building in Northeast Asia, Casey Station Antarctica, Niagara Falls, Americas infamous jail Alcatraz, Prince Charles; Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove House, the Colosseum in Rome and more
“What's amazing is it's transcending political boundaries and happening in places like China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea. Lights also went out at the famed Wat Arun Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand; shopping and cultural centres in Manila, Philippines; castles in Sweden and Denmark; the parliament in Budapest; landmarks in Warsaw, Poland; London City Hall and Canterbury Cathedral in England,”

- said Andy Ridley, executive director of Earth Hour.

Where to from here

Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The long term goal is to cut individual energy consumptions in the day to day lives.

Earth Hour is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Next year Earth Hour will fall on 28th of March and it is expected to be bigger and better. This will be an annual event for Fiji and the world.

Pacific countries’ (such as Fiji) contribution to the cause of climate change is insignificant; but we are at the forefront of the impacts. Therefore we are encouraged to take action to reduce the risk of the adverse effects of climate change and make our voices heard by being proactive.

WWF and FEA requests individuals to make lifestyle changes to reduce their energy usage. The One Degree Initiative in Fiji is also a way for individuals to address climate change.

Basic Energy Efficiency Pointers:

  1. Turn off lights in unoccupied areas
  2. Use compact fluorescent lights
  3. Use as much daylight/sun light when possible instead of electrical lights
  4. Air conditioning temperature set point should be 25degrees and above
  5. Keep doors and windows closed in an air conditioned room
  6. Switch off the hot water switches and appliances in home and at office after hours

Why Energy Savings?

  • Households can save money if they use electricity wisely
  • Reduced energy usage will lead to decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
  • Reduced operating expenses and improved profitability for businesses
  • Reduced consumption will help FEA in terms of reduced diesel costs and use

Fiji Highlights

  • Fiji gained international media recognition for its participation and made a stand on climate change
  • See Fijis images on www.YouTube.com and Earth Hour
  • The message of Earth Hour was taken to every household in Fiji thanks to 12 commercial radio stations, national television and one of the print media organisations. Partners include 2day FM, Bula FM, FM 96, Legend FM, Mix FM, Radio Fiji 1 (Fijian), Radio Fiji 2 (Hindi), Radio Fiji Gold, Radio Mirchi, Radio Navtarang, Radio Sargam, Viti FM together with Fiji Television and Fiji Sun.
  • Various secondary and primary schools around Fiji adopted and celebrated Earth Hour by organizing activities on climate change awareness.
  • In solidarity for Earth Hour and reducing carbon emissions globally, Visoqo Village in Macuata showed their support by turning their lights on using renewable energy. This was done in partnership with the Macuata Soqosoqo ni Marama, UNDP- GEF Small Grants Programme, this community has finally experience the novelty of turning on their lights with a switch using solar energy.
  • The chiefly village of Viseisei in Lautoka supported the Earth Hour campaign
  • Numerous companies including the hotel industry committed to switching off and some have already made long term commitments to reducing energy usage such as BlighWater Shipping Co. and Go Advertising Ltd.
  • Personalities in Fiji with the likes of Digicel Fiji 7’s Rugby team, Imrana Jalal-Human Rights Lawyers, Sitiveni Rabuka - former Prime Minister and Bernadette Ganilau-former Minister for Environment committed to taking action on Earth Hour.
  • The support from over 300 businesses and many individual households, coupled with the urging from Interim Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama’s to the people of Fiji to support Earth Hour made Fiji the first nation to switch off for Earth Hour.

Vinaka Vakalevu from WWF!

WWF work's on marine, species, forest conservation and climate change in Fiji. Earth Hour was a WWF driven campaign to give people a solution oriented action on climate change. WWF would like to thank the following for making Earth Hour happen in Fiji:

  • Kim Beddoes, Sports and Events Management
  • All media partners as mentioned in the highlights
  • FINTEL, ANZ Banking Corporation, US Embassy, SOPAC-Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission, Westpac, Star Printery and Vodafone Fiji Ltd
  • Suva City Council , Lautoka City Council ,Lami Town Council, Ba Town Council, Fiji Police Force and National Fire Authority
  • Fiji Electricity Authority, Royal Suva Yacht Club, Takia Paddling Club
  • M&C Saatchi, Promotions and Raivoka Productions
  • Western Partners: Williams and Goslings Ltd, Avis Rental Car, Xenium Computers, Marama Dina Waka Man, Coms Ltd, Outer Reef Seafood Café, Jacks of Fiji Restaurants (Chefs and Safron), Chit Chat Café, VRD Sharma, Nestle Fiji Ltd, Fiji Water, St Thomas High School and Viseisei village
  • Thank you also to the Earth Hour champions and Earth Hour Volunteers Fiji wide
  • All businesses that signed up on the website

For Earth Hour 2009

Ashwini Prabha, Communications Coordinator WWF South Pacific and Earth Hour, t +679 331 5533, m +679 9268 016