Cyprus to mark Earth Hour on Saturday

The Presidential Palace will be lit up in blue and green on Saturday from 6pm to 8.30pm on the occasion of ‘Earth Hour’, the office of Cyprus’ Environment Commissioner Clelia Vassiliou announced on Friday.

Normally lights are turned off for Earth Hour and the event involves people lighting candles at the palace but due to Covid restrictions, it will be modified this year to mark the occasion. In every other way, the palace lights will be switched off for the hour.

‘Earth Hour’ is a worldwide movement organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

“This year, as people try to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the goal is to send a strong message that we need to make more sustainable choices, both individually and collectively, in order to make a fresh start,” the statement said.

“Another goal of this year’s ‘Earth Hour’ is to unite all generations and create the conditions for a more sustainable planet,” it added.

Telecommunications provider Cyta will also participate in the initiative and has urged its clients to turn off the lights in their houses and offices on Saturday evening.

“Through multiple and long-term corporate social responsibility actions, Cyta actively contributes to raise awareness on the issue of energy saving in Cyprus every year,” Cyta said in a statement.

“We want to stress the urgency of saving energy so we can save our planet.”