The Earth Hour was joined by over 7,000 cities worldwide

Around 100,000 fewer kilowatt-hours of electricity were consumed during the international Earth Hour ecological event last year (up from 95,000 kilowatt-hours in 2014). As almost 37bn kilowatt-hours of electricity are used in Belarus annually, this is truly a drop in the ocean. However, ecologists are convinced that every little counts, and that we should be working towards less consumption as a daily goal.


This year, the Earth Hour was joined by over 7,000 cities worldwide. In Minsk, decorative lighting was switched off from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, along Nezavisimosti and Pobediteley avenues. In addition, the National Library, the Gates of the City and some other notable buildings did so, as did some buildings in Pinsk, Braslav and Baranovichi. Around 300 people gathered in Chausy’s central square on March 19th, where the hotel building had its lights extinguished, as did the city executive committee building and that of Beltelecom.

The symbol for the event was ‘60+’, spelt out in candles; against which people took selfies, with the best photos broadcast on a large screen. Quadcopters took video of the eco-challenge.

The Energy Ministry asserts that it’s virtually impossible to save any significant volume of resources during the Earth Hour but admits that the campaign is good for raising awareness of energy saving strategies. We cannot reverse damage to the ozone, or regrow trees in that hour but we can increase the number of people who care about the problem. “We need to do our best to use our limited fuel-and-energy resources rationally,” says the Ministry.