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Whistler turns off the lights for Earth Hour

Residents, businesses encouraged to power down for one hour on March 19
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PEDAL POWER The Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers guests the chance to blend their own organic smoothies using stationary bikes during Earth Hour. Photo by Jason Jo

Whistler will be left in the dark this Saturday, March 19 when the community powers down for Earth Hour once more.

Between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., local residents, visitors and businesses are encouraged to turn off all non-essential lights, joining thousands around the world in a show of commitment to the planet.

"Earth Hour is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the ease and impact of taking steps for one evening to reduce our collective energy consumption," said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden in a municipal release. "I challenge everyone, as well, to get inspired and take steps beyond Earth Hour to reduce their personal energy consumption every day."

Last year Whistler topped the list of energy-saving communities in British Columbia, cutting consumption by seven per cent during Earth Hour, the largest reduction in the province.

Meadow Park Sports Centre, the biggest electricity-saver of all RMOW facilities, cut 300 kilowatt-hours during the 2015 event. This year the municipality is hosting a low-light skate at Whistler Olympic Plaza to mark Earth Hour.

Over at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, guests will have the chance to ride stationary bikes in the hotel lobby, using pedal power to blend their very own organic smoothies. The Upper Village hotel is also hosting a dinner by candlelight, with acoustic music, yoga and green-themed cocktails on offer as part of the Earth Hour celebration.

To help British Columbians cut back on their energy usage on a daily basis, BC Hydro offers a range of resources and incentives. Visit www.bchydro.com/powersmart for more.

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Australia, and has since spread to hundreds of communities across the globe. Last year 170 countries and territories and more than 2.2 million people took part. More information is available at www.earthhour.org.