Carrboro residents were encouraged to go dark on Saturdays to celebrate Earth Hour.
Participants were asked not to use any non-essential electric lights that could affect public safety and to turn them off in order to increase awareness about climate change.
Carrboro is participating in Earth Hour for the 12th consecutive year. This global effort is organized by the World Wildlife Fund. Cities around the world will join in at 8:30 p.m. local to demonstrate how collective action can achieve positive change.
It is a global movement that unites people on environmental issues and how they can protect Mother Earth. Barbara Foushee, a Carrboro Town Council Member, said.
Randee Haven ODonnell from Carrboro Town Council brought forth this year’s resolution to recognize Earth Hour at a regular meeting held on March 22. The matter was approved unanimously.
They noted that Earth Hour was historically practiced in private homes, but they hope to see it expand to include more community-oriented actions.
They said that it was more about how we will incorporate Earth Hour into our future plans to make it stronger.
Beyond the event
Carrboro’s larger effort to educate residents about sustainable and healthy living is part of Earth Hour.
Carrboro Town Council member Barbara Foushee said it can oftentimes be challenging to lead an environmentally-conscious lifestyle due to financial and time constraints.
“Everybody doesn’t have that same opportunity to focus on climate change everyday, because they’re focusing on life stuff,” Foushee said. “They are focusing on paying rent, having enough food, and having enough money to cover their daily, basic needs.”
Foushee stated that she would like to put more emphasis on education and discussions about climate change for people in these situations.
The Town of Carrboro will host several events throughout April to provide educational resources.
Keep Carrboro Beautiful, which will take place on Earth Day April 22, will encourage citizens to pick-up trash all over Carrboro.
Galen Poythress, the recreation manager at Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources, stated that it is important to keep a place clean and tidy for all who live there.
Carrboro will also celebrate Earth Day at Town Commons. There will be tables from environmental advocacy groups that will provide education resources for attendees. There will also be food trucks that offer plant-based options.
Haven-ODonnell said that it is like a show and share, so people don’t feel alone. “So they can see Oh my goodness! All of this is happening in the community and they can be a member of it or help others be a parts of it.”
O’Donnell stated they are looking forward to more participation in local events, such as Earth Hour.
Foushee said that it just helps to put the focus back on the window that is closing for mitigation and climate-change change. Every little thing we do together helps.
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