Earth Hour well supported in Queenstown

Observing Earth Hour at Earnslaw Park on Saturday are, from left, Queenstown sustainable tourism adviser Sharon Schindler, QLDC arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell and Sustainable Wanaka eco design adviser Christina Newnham. Photo by Emily Adamson.

Crowne Plaza, Novotel Lakeside, Millennium Hotel, Vudu Cafe and Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde were among the Queenstown businesses participating in a global environmental initiative to switch off as many lights and electrical appliances as possible for an hour on Saturday night.

At Earnslaw Park, representatives of the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Greenpeace and Sustainable Wanaka invited the public to make pledges of support for the big switch-off, and raise awareness of Earth Hour, which was between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday.

Each resident making a pledge was given a free 13w energy saving lightbulb to replace a 60w bulb in their home.