(VOVWORLD) - Since it was launched 13 years ago, the “Earth hour” campaign has become an annual event encouraging the community to turn off electrical devices to save energy and protect the environment against climate change. The campaign has expanded and changed public awareness about energy saving and environmental protection.
“Earth Hour” has drawn a strong response from the public. Aggressive measures have been taken across Vietnam to conserve energy as the national energy supply becomes threatened with depletion, and “Turn off the lights” is now a slogan many people use as an energy conservation reminder.
“I use electrical appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, and washing machines that have energy saving stamps from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. I frequently remind my children to turn off the lights when they leave a room.”
“Information campaigns have raised public awareness of energy conservation. Turn off electrical devices when you aren’t using them. That reduces our electricity bills. We will respond to the Earth Hour campaign in late March by turning off lights for one hour.”
“I frequently remind my family to save energy and turn off electrical devices when they aren’t using them. We need to save energy for our family and for society.”
In Vietnam, the demand for power increases 10% annually, faster than the GDP growth rate. Energy costs affect Vietnamese product prices more than in other countries with the same technology level.
Trinh Quoc Vu, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Saving and Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said: “Earth Hour is 8:30pm to 9:30pm on the last Saturday in March. According to the Center of the National Electricity System, we can save 500,000 kwh of electricity during this hour. But that is not the main message we want to send to the public. Turning off the lights for one hour is just a symbolic action to promote energy saving throughout the year.”
This year Earth Hour will be on March 28.