Earth Hour saves power

Coromandel Peninsula residents put power back into their own hands at the weekend’s Earth Hour event – saving more than four percent of usual power output in the process.

 

Between 200 and 250 people gathered at Memorial Park in Whitianga for festivities to mark Earth Hour on Saturday March 28 that included storytelling by torchlight, bag pipe music, drumming, juggling, acoustic music and a special visit by the Coromandel Astronomy Group that gave participants a clear view of Saturn through a telescope.

 

The event was organised by Louise Gribble of Transition Town Whitianga, who says young and old had a great night out. “It was amazing to see how such a simple act in getting out and coming down to the park at night can stimulate so much excitement with the young ones,” she says. “The event started with a karakia and ended with a procession of about 20 or 30 adults and children dancing behind a bag pipe player, which was such a great ending.”

 

Mercury Bay Library staff organised six storytellers who set themselves up in tents and on blankets and read books to children by torchlight. At Tairua Library, a torchlight story session was also held, followed by acoustic music and talk about the days not so long ago when baches had no power and holidaymakers bathed in the river and played games together by lantern and candle light.

 

Restaurants such as Tairua’s Manaia Café also got into the spirit of Earth Hour and served dinners by candlelight to patrons – most of whom they say loved the experience.

 

Genesis Energy recorded savings in the district of 4.34 percent compared to the previous five Saturday’s average load between 8:30pm and 9.30pm. The average on the Kopu GXP was 24.347 MWh while during Earth Hour the Kopu GXP recorded 23.29 MWh.

 

Events were held around the country and the world to mark Earth Hour, aimed at raising awareness of the impact of climate change on the earth.

 

For more information on Transition Town Whitianga visit www.transitiontowns.org.nz/whitianga