Newsroom / CNA
Cyprus is joining thousands of cities and towns across 187 countries and territories in 2018 Earth Hour Celebrations on Saturday.
The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
Electricity generation, account for 3/4 of the greenhouse gas emissions
The main event will take place at the Presidential Palace on Saturday evening. President Nicos Anastasiades and Environmental Commissioner Ioanna Panayiotou will deliver speeches and the public will have the chance to observe the stars via telescopes. Moreover, a separate event will take place in the afternoon at Ledra Street in Nicosia. Many municipalities and local authorities, as well as organizations and groups, are participating in various events islandwide.
In a message on the occasion of Earth Hour, Panayiotou says that Cyprus has prepared a national strategy for climate change and this is a positive step, however, Cyprus still has a long way to go in order to reach the European goals set for climate change.
Panayiotou points out that fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, mainly used for electricity generation, account for 3/4 of the greenhouse gas emissions. She also underlines that Cyprus, as a Mediterranean island state, is vulnerable to climate change and faces many problems as regards water, coastal erosion and unruly construction.
The Commissioner also says that if Europe turns into a highly energy-efficient and low-carbon economy, jobs will be created and competitiveness will improve.
