Australian embrace Earth Hour, but not green power | NEWS.com.au

Australian embrace Earth Hour, but not green power | NEWS.com.au WHEN the thousands of Australian households and businesses turn their lights back on after Earth Hour ends tonight, only 10 per cent of them will be switching on any green power. The difference between one hour of candle-lit symbolism and genuine household action is vast. Event organisers claimed 54 per cent of Sydney residents took part in the inaugural Earth Hour last year, but surveys show that only 8 per cent of households actually signed up to green power schemes, citing cost and time constraints. Tonight, the candles will be brought out again and the street lights will be on, only this time across Australia and 24 cities around the world as Earth Hour II goes global. The idea of Earth Hour is for individuals and businesses to "send a message" about their concern over climate change by turning off lights and other electrical appliances from 8pm to 9pm this evening.