GO AN HOUR WITHOUT POWER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024

March 21, 2024
On Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. York Region will join communities around the world and turn off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour.
York Regional Building in the dark for earth hour

On Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. York Region will join communities around the world and turn off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour.  

All non-essential lights will be turned off at the following locations: 

  • York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Town of Newmarket 
    17150 Yonge Street, Town of Newmarket 
  • York Region South Services Centre, 50 High Tech Road, Town of Richmond Hill 
  • York Region Transportation Operations Centre, 90 Bales Drive, Town of East Gwillimbury 
  • York Region Community and Health Services, 9060 Jane Street, City of Vaughan

Along with turning off lights and other unnecessary electronics for one hour, this global event is an opportunity to consider other small adjustments to benefit the health of the planet year-round.

Here are five actions to get you started:  

  1. Consider walking, riding or using public transport instead of driving 
  2. Make your home energy efficient (e.g. use LED lights or dimmer switches) 
  3. Power down lights, TVs, computers and cell phones each night before bed 
  4. Reduce your use of single-use items like plastic checkout bags, cutlery, hard-to-recycle food ware, stir sticks and straws  
  5. Spread the word about Earth Hour and climate change action to your friends and family  

How York Region is working toward reducing its carbon footprint 
Beyond Earth Hour, York Region remains committed to our goal of producing zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To reach this goal, we continue to electrify our transit fleet, expand the use of solar electricity production and reduce energy consumption across our facilities.

Recent initiatives include:

  • Adding two electric buses to York Region transit’s fleet, increasing the electric fleet size to 14 buses 
  • Installing 62 electric vehicle chargers available to the public at Regional facilities, offering those who drive electric vehicles a reliable and convenient option to charge  
  • Optimizing lighting energy consumption and utility costs by almost 50% at seven York Region facilities   

For more ways to be involved in Earth Hour visit earthhour.org or follow #EarthHour on social media.