Local government of Riga will also participate in the largest global campaign Earth Hour organised by the World Widelife Fund this year. On Saturday, 22 March, from 8:30 p.m., the decorative lighting of the Freedom Monument and the square, the lighting on the cable-stayed cables of the Cable Bridge (Vanšu bridge), and the lights in several local government institutions and business buildings will be symbolically turned off for one hour.
"By participating in Earth Hour, Riga will stand in solidarity with many world capitals to demonstrate unity and interest in solving the climate crisis." We must act together for the good of our planet, using natural resources carefully and efficiently. "I invite everyone to show solidarity and turn off the lights in their homes for an hour," emphasises Viesturs Zeps, Chairman of the Housing and Environment Committee of the Riga City Council.
Lighting will be turned off in the Central Administration buildings of the local government of Riga – facade lighting in both the Town Hall and the facades of the Neighbourhood Residents' Centre at 43a Ieriķu Street and 46 E. Smiļģa Street.
The local government company "Rīgas nami" will turn off the facade lighting for the House of Blackheads and the cinema "Splendid Palace". The lighting will also be turned off in the external area of the Riga Maternity Hospital, where the lack of light does not threaten patient safety.
JSC “Rīgas siltums” will reduce lighting in four heating plants, one boiler house and administrative buildings, drawing public attention to climate change and demonstrating the company's commitment to environmentally friendly actions in everyday life. By participating in Earth Hour, the expected electricity consumption will decrease by approximately 20 kW. The greenest, cheapest, and most independent energy is the energy we don't consume, which is why the company calls for insulating buildings and transforming heating systems to effectively regulate heat in homes.
On Saturday, 22 March, the world's largest environmental campaign, Earth Hour, will return for the nineteenth year in a row to inspire everyone to take care of our planet. In an increasingly divided world, Earth Hour is a moment of hope and inspiration, uniting millions of people and encouraging everyone to participate.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its "lights off" moment. By turning off the lights in buildings and homes, people around the world are invited to symbolically dedicate one hour to the Earth. Over the years, Earth Hour has grown into a global event.
The Earth Hour call encourages people not only to symbolically turn off their lights and devices, but to dedicate 60 minutes to doing good for the planet and themselves at the same time. A walk in the forest to explore the diversity of nature, tidying up your home by replacing unsustainable products with environmentally friendly alternatives, or educating yourself - there are countless opportunities for everyone to do this hour.
Earth Hour is more than just a moment – it is a movement that has continued to inspire people around the world for 19 years, reminding us of our collective responsibility to create a more hopeful and sustainable future for our planet.
Earth Hour, which began in Sydney in 2007, has become the world's largest environmental movement, inspiring people, communities, businesses and organisations in more than 190 countries and territories to take action for our planet. During Earth Hour the lights are turned off at many of the world's most iconic landmarks, from the London Eye in England to the Eiffel Tower in France and the Colosseum in Italy.
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, email: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.