The ‘Earth Hour 2012’ campaign themed “I Will if you Will” was launched in Hanoi on February 28 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Accordingly, ‘Earth Hour 2012’will take place at the Cach Mang Thang Tam (August Revolution) square from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on March 31.
Ambassador of Denmark John Nielsen, Miss Friendly from Miss Vietnam Universe 2008 beauty pageant Duong Thuy Linh, singers Thanh Lam and Tung Duong, are the campaign’s ambassadors this year.
The event will be broadcast live on VTV1 channel.
During Earth Hour, lights and electric appliances will be switched off for 60 minutes.
According to the Deputy Director General of Vietnam Electricity (EVN) Nguyen Tan Loc, the company will continue to strengthen electricity saving methods and also raise awareness in using electricity effectively and economically throughout the country.
EVN has also co-operated with solar water heater providers to install about 70,000 solar water heaters from 2011 to 2015. The company will give cash support of VND1 million per heater in 2012 for 25,000 solar water heaters.
The company is committed to combining stable development and preservation of natural resources, environmental protection and use of energy effectively and efficiently.
Ambassador of Denmark John Nielsen said that Denmark is helping Vietnam in promoting and providing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Vietnam is in the top five most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change. In a scenario where world temperatures and sea levels are rising, Vietnam stands to lose 5 per cent of its land, while 11 per cent of its population will be seriously affected, agricultural production would decrease by 7 per cent, and GDP would fall by 10 per cent.
Experts say that if the annual savings rate is 3-5 per cent, the local electricity industry will save US$50 million. According to national target, the country is striving to save 5 per cent of energy consumption during the period 2011-2015.
Vietnam saved 400,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to 500 million VND in the Earth Hour 2011 campaign. This year’s 60-minute performance is expected to save a larger number of kWh of electricity, presenting a year-on-year increase of 20 per cent.
Earth Hour is a global event organised by World Wide Fund for Nature. It takes place every last Saturday of March annually to raise public awareness of the need to take action against climate change.
