Earth Hour Returns to Malaysia Saturday, March 27

Earth Hour, an annual event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), is set from 8:30 to 9:30 pm., Saturday 27 March 2010. Held each year since 2007, Earth Hour got its start in Sydney, Australia when the WWF teamed up with the Sydney Morning Herald and called upon residents to turn off all non-essential lights to raise awareness to climate change and its negative impact on our planet. The premiere event, which saw 2.2 million residents and businesses of Sydney flipping light switches off for one hour beginning at 7:30 pm. on Saturday, 31 March, has since then become an international event with more and more countries joining the global cause each year.

Malaysia has been an active participant in the global cause since Earth Hour 2008. According to Malaysia's WWF web site, organizers are hoping to exceed last year's six million participants. Some criticize the event saying one hour in the dark doesn't amount to much. Others, like Fatimah binti Ithni of Meru, Selangor disagree. "Turning off our lights for one hour is a good way to show we care about our planet and want to preserve it as best we can."

The dangers posed by climate change are of great concern to the Malaysian branch of the WWF. They fear climate change will increase the frequency of storms along coastlines causing a reduction in nesting habitats of sea turtles, which are listed as one of the countries most endangered species. Population sex ratios and the success of incubation of eggs are additional consequences of climate change sea turtles are facing along Malaysia's shorelines.

Sex determination of sea turtles, unlike most animal species where the sex of their offspring's is determined by the genetic contribution of the father, is temperature dependent. If the incubation temperature of sea turtle eggs during the first trimester of development is above 30°C (86°F) a female turtle will be born. Whereas if the incubation temperature during this time is below 30°C (86°F) a male turtle will be born. Thus a warmer beach environment brought on by climate change will see fewer male sea turtles born each year. According to Climate Change and Sea Turtles, some scientists are now suggesting that global climate change has the potential to eliminate the production of male turtle offspring if mean global temperatures increase 4°C, (7.2°F) and increases of less than 2°C (3.6°F) may dramatically skew the male-female sex ratios. Needless to say, if male sea turtles cease to be produced as a result of climate change sea turtles will become extinct.

Where To Go, What To Do

Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, located in Bandar Sunway, Selangor,has planned several activities to be held in conjunction with this year's Earth Hour event starting at 6 pm., Saturday, March 27. Those in attendance will receive a limited edition glow-in-the-dark Sunway Earth Key Chain, while supplies last. The free to attend event, which will take place at the main entrance, includes an Earth Hour "Pledge Wall" by Tupperware, Leo Club's "Battle of the Bands" featuring 10 bands from various colleges located in the Klang Valley, a dance performance, food promotions along Oasis Boulevard, and tips for conserving electricity.

The National Planetarium, located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, will also be switching off its lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, Saturday, March 27 in support of Earth Hour 2010. This year's observance is being held in conjunction with the National Space Agency's Light Pollution Campaign aimed at increasing awareness amongst Malaysians of the problems stemming from light pollution. Activities scheduled at the Planetarium starting at 7 pm include viewing the sky through a telescope, lantern designing, a word puzzle game, an astronomy and environment-themed candle arranging competition, lighting candles during Earth Hour and a lucky draw.

The Green Heights Mall in Kuching, Sarawak, has planned an Earth Hour Concert and Eco Food Bazaar at its outdoor carpark from 7:30 to 10 pm Saturday, March 27. Music will be provided by Kyoto Protocol, Karen and Errol, Lacrimosa, Venus and Mars and Arch Angel.

References:

Earth Hour, Wikipedia
Earth Hour Malaysia