Christchurch powers down

Earth Hour 2009

Don Scott

Several thousand people gathered in Christchurch's Cathedral Square to support Earth Hour.

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The lights dimmed tonight but Christchurch failed to match its previous power-saving effort for Earth Hour

Orion New Zealand estimated the electricity saved in the city during the lights-out event was 8.1%, well short of last year's 12.8%.

About 21.7 megawatt hours of electricity was saved - about what two New Zealand homes consume each year - which is the equivalent of 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Several thousand people gathered in Christchurch's Cathedral Square counted down and watched as the ChristChurch Cathedral and Chalice lights were switched off.

Jo le Gras, who was in the square, said the event was important for her children and grandchildren.

"I think we should do it more than once a year."

More than one billion people in almost 3000 cities, towns and regions were expected to take part in Earth Hour, a global call to action on climate change.

- © Fairfax NZ News