Earth Hour: Consumers outdid businesses in energy drive

IRISH businesses have been criticised for not supporting Saturday night’s Earth Hour initiative, aimed at highlighting the need to cut the world’s energy demands.

While enough energy to power more than 12,000 homes was saved by consumers during Saturday night’s Earth Hour, the Irish organisers said the event was all but ignored by the business community.

For one hour, individuals, organisations and governments worldwide were asked to switch off non-essential lights.

Friends of the Irish Environment director Tony Lowes said: “It was self-evident around Ireland, and particularly in Dublin, that the best efforts of the Minister for the Environment, the Office of Public Works and the lord mayor of Dublin failed. Buildings like the international banks and businesses of Dublin’s financial district blazed away, illuminating empty buildings and needlessly damaging the environment.”

Preliminary analysis by electricity system operator EirGrid indicated a reduction of use of power by 50 megawatts over the evening of the Earth Hour initiative, a 1.5% fall in demand.

That’s enough to power about 500,000 old-style light bulbs, or 2.5 million energy-efficient CFL bulbs.

“Given a comparison including the previous Saturday and given that the reduction occurred on the same night as the Earth Hour, credit is due to those involved in this initiative for this reduction,” said an Eirgrid spokesperson.

“Continued and higher reductions could be achieved in the long term if electricity consumers persist and intensify energy awareness and energy efficiency.”

Labour Party environment spokeswoman Joanna Tuffy said the success of Saturday night’s Earth Hour showed that people were prepared to support initiatives aimed at reducing demand for electricity.

Describing the reduction in demand as “a step in the right direction”, she said that other countries had achieved greater reductions during similar events.

“With greater promotion and public awareness campaigns, Ireland can achieve similar targets in the future. Campaigns to get people to turn off lights for a single hour will not, of course, achieve the reductions required in the long term, but they can play an important role by increasing public awareness of the issue.”

Energy saving tips

1. Switch off lights in rooms that are not occupied. Porch lights or floodlighting could be switched off?

2. Change to CFL or LED light bulbs.

3. Make sure new electrical appliances are as efficient as possible.

4. Switch off computer monitors when not in use.

5. Don’t leave mobile phone chargers plugged in when not in use — they can use power even when no phone is being charged.

6. Don’t use dishwashers or washing machines the early evening (5-7pm) on weekdays — use them earlier or later in the day.

7. Use a timer and lagging jacket insulation for immersion water heaters.

8. Clean light fittings, reflectors and lampshades regularly.