If organizers have their way, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar will be plunged into darkness when the clock strikes 8:30 p.m. tonight.
But not because of a rolling blackout caused by a power shortage. The local governments of the five cities have signed up for Earth Hour, a global event aimed at tackling climate change by turning off the lights in a symbolic show of global unity.
Now in its fourth year, Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature, will see thousands of cities and famous landmarks, including Monas, go dark for an hour once local clocks hit 8:30 p.m., creating what organizers call a “24-hour wave of hope and action.”
It may take some doing, however, to excite local residents.
“I do not want to switch off electricity at my house on Saturday, as it will be uncomfortable,” said Evi Komarwati of Jakarta.
But student Inusa Pramusyawa said, “One hour to save the Earth is not a big deal for me. People should be able to think that way.”
Gusti Ayu Fransiska Kusumadewi, coordinator of the Bali Collaboration on Climate Change, said Earth Hour was having trouble gaining traction in Bali, perhaps because people had participated recently in World Silent Day and Nyepi.
Adinda Ashrinintya, of the Aston Hotel and Convention Center in Denpasar, said, “We are collaborating with WWF to make this event successful.”
Malls in Surabaya seem to be giving the event a pass. BG Junction will only turn off 25 percent of its lights. “It is hard for us to switch all the lights off, as the mall is a public place,” said Wahjuono, the manager.
In Jakarta, most municipal buildings are expected to go dark. As for the rest, light a candle and watch the skyline to judge for yourself.
But not because of a rolling blackout caused by a power shortage. The local governments of the five cities have signed up for Earth Hour, a global event aimed at tackling climate change by turning off the lights in a symbolic show of global unity.
Now in its fourth year, Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature, will see thousands of cities and famous landmarks, including Monas, go dark for an hour once local clocks hit 8:30 p.m., creating what organizers call a “24-hour wave of hope and action.”
It may take some doing, however, to excite local residents.
“I do not want to switch off electricity at my house on Saturday, as it will be uncomfortable,” said Evi Komarwati of Jakarta.
But student Inusa Pramusyawa said, “One hour to save the Earth is not a big deal for me. People should be able to think that way.”
Gusti Ayu Fransiska Kusumadewi, coordinator of the Bali Collaboration on Climate Change, said Earth Hour was having trouble gaining traction in Bali, perhaps because people had participated recently in World Silent Day and Nyepi.
Adinda Ashrinintya, of the Aston Hotel and Convention Center in Denpasar, said, “We are collaborating with WWF to make this event successful.”
Malls in Surabaya seem to be giving the event a pass. BG Junction will only turn off 25 percent of its lights. “It is hard for us to switch all the lights off, as the mall is a public place,” said Wahjuono, the manager.
In Jakarta, most municipal buildings are expected to go dark. As for the rest, light a candle and watch the skyline to judge for yourself.
