Environment

Earth Hour arrives in Bangladesh

Children lighting candles for the Earth Hour, Photo : Sotan Moru

Bashundhara Grameenphone headquarters blaze with words. Photo : Sotan Moru

Bitopi Leo Burnett, Spotlight Entertainment and Starcom Media, in their global tradition, had taken the initiative to start Earth Hour for the first time in Bangladesh. On March 26, 2011, with the support of Grameenphone who agreed to switch off the lights of GP House, Bangladesh officially became a part of the global Earth Hour movement. At 8.30 pm floor by floor the lights went off at the Grameenphone headquarters in Bashundhara. The iconic building stood in total darkness as the candle lights blazed with the words “60+ Earth Hour, Bangladesh“ on the Plaza floor of the GP House. Starting Thursday night Radio Foorti, in a pro bono act, aired the Earth Hour spots and broadcasted RJ Endorsements to raise awareness on this major happening.

Since it was also the 40th Independence Day of the nation, young musicians broke into patriotic songs that every one who had gathered around joined in with their singing voices. There were mothers with kids, university students, Grameenphone, Bitopi Leo Burnett and Spotlight employees and other enthusiasts. A young fire spinner created amazing golden illustrations in the darkness delighting all who were present.

As we all know, and according to experts, Bangladesh, along with a few other countries, is one of the disaster prone zones to environmental calamities resulting from global warming. In 2007, Sydney Australia came forth as an ambassador for climate change. They proposed that everyone turn off their light for one hour on the last Saturday of March from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, Earth Hour. On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record of 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. This year's theme of the Earth Hour “go beyond the hour” urged the people of the world to go beyond switching off their lights and make lifestyle changes to protect the earth.

The beginning of this endeavor in Bangladesh should take our awareness to a higher level. Next year, it is hoped, that the government too shall participate in the Earth Hour and take a pledge to save our country and the planet at large from the devastations that global warming can bring forth.