SIBU: Though difficult at first, SMK St Elizabeth is sailing through its third year of joining the international event of Earth Hour to inspire more people to save the Planet Earth.The school made its first move in 2008 to complement the effort of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in energy conservation.
The school has got over 2,000 students to switch off their lights at home for an hour today (Saturday) to mark Earth Hour.
As in the last two years, they have roped in parents to sign the pledge.
Approached by reporters yesterday, principal Catherine Robert Mowe said she was grateful the school was doing it for the third year.
“I think this effort is important in creating awareness among young people with backing from parents and teachers,” she said.
She said the commitment pledge was important so people involved feel responsible for doing their part to save Mother Earth.
“We do not want people to make empty promises. Everybody can say ‘Yes, we will do it’ but in the end, nothing is done.
“Thus, the commitment pledge is important because it is like a task for the school to be involved in the conservation effort,” she said, adding that the pledge was a reminder to the school of the importance of earth conservation.
She said the school’s first involvement in Earth Hour in 2008 was a wake-up call for everyone as it was a realisation that people were taking things for granted.
Recalling her first experience, she said the one-hour without lights was tough.
“The first time was really difficult. Sitting in the dark without television, air-conditioner and lights for one-hour was a struggle.
“It’s really a wake-up call for us because if one day, we really do not have this luxury anymore, how are we going to face life?” she asked.
“It is interesting to use candles as the only source of light.
“When I’m bored, I cannot turn on the TV, I would read books by candle light and it’s romantic to have a candlelight dinner,” she said, tongue-in-cheek.
She hopes for response from more parents this year. Not many people were aware of it so did not appreciate the significance of their effort, so the school enlightened more people, espe-cially parents.
She believed everyone should unite in this effort for themselves and the world.
“There are so many things happening in this world – earthquakes, flood, drought and hurricanes – and if people can say they should stay united for harmony and peace, I think they should also unite for conservation of the Earth.
“I believe through unity, we can do wonders,” she added.
The school was actively involved in the earth conservation effort in the office, classrooms and school compound in recent years.
It won various environmental awards in recent years such as the statewide contest hosted by the Department of Environment, Toyota Eco-Youth Award 2007 and projects involving recycling.
Catherine was grateful for the awards as it was recognition of their effort in energy conservation.
“We used rainwater to flush the toilet and will ask our students to collect unfinished mineral water to water flowering plants instead of throwing it away,” she said.
The school had a student body known as Pencinta Alam Sekitar to collect used items like used straws, boxes and toilet rolls to make handicrafts.
Meanwhile 69 participants joined the environmental quiz yesterday.