By recently adding its name to a list of more than 4,000 businesses around the world, the GTAA became the first airport in North America to confirm its participation in Earth Hour; an event created to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
Travellers passing through the airport today from 8-9 p.m. will experience a noticeable difference in the lighting levels at both terminals as we join the world for Earth Hour 2008.
This global initiative, led by the World Wildlife Fund, began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and is a simple way to show that you want to be a part of the solution. It also sends a powerful message to others that, together, we can make a difference. Environmentalists cite climate change as being the biggest environmental threat to our planet.
More than 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses participated in Earth Hour 2007 by turning off their lights, which resulted in an energy reduction equivalent to taking 48,000 cars off the road.
This year, millions of people will unite and switch off for Earth Hour at 8 p.m. local time in some of the worlds major cities, including Toronto, Chicago, Melbourne, Tel Aviv and Copenhagen.
Toronto Pearson will participate by reducing lighting and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in Terminals 1 and 3, a reduction of lighting in the Central Utilities Plant, and by operating only one of the two LINK Trains that connect the terminals to offsite parking. The GTAAs target is to reduce energy usage by four megawatts (MW) during Earth Hour. Typical daily usage for Toronto Pearson averages between 30 and 38 MWh. Airport users will be advised of the event via public address announcements and by a scrolling message on the LINK Train platforms.
The GTAA is proud to be taking part in this significant event, says GTAA President and CEO Lloyd McCoomb. We are committed to participating and switching off as many lights as possible without impacting safety and airport operations in a show of support for action on climate change.
As part of its ISO 14001 commitment to meaningful environmental improvement, the GTAA is focused on continual improvement in every aspect of its operations. Earth Hour is not just about one hour, its about making long-term changes to the way the GTAA uses resources. The concept of environmental sustainability in airport operations remains a challenge, and this challenge exists in all areas of the transportation industry, which drives the GTAA to find solutions that aim to minimize its environmental footprint.
Through efforts such as the installation of motion sensors, lighting management programs, photo-cell controls and relamping projects, the GTAA saved 47,000 MWh in 2007. Other elements that affected GTAA energy savings included better temperature control on passenger boarding bridges and controllers on some escalators, moving walkways and elevators that reduced energy draw when the devices are not in use. Many of these initiatives began with the GTAAs Energy Management Committee, which was formed in 2005 and focuses on solutions to conserving electrical energy.
The GTAA encourages you to tell your friends and family about this great event and to participate. On March 29 at 8 p.m., turn off as many lights as possible to lend your support. The GTAA also encourages you to continue thinking green and to continue thinking of new ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Remember, its not about the one hour, its about the future.
For additional information about this landmark event, visit the official Earth Hour website www.earthhour.org or www.wwf.ca/EarthHour and see the difference you can make.
