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MEDIA RELEASE
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| For release at 8PM EST | Saturday, March 29, 2008 |
Attention: Religion, Environment, Entertainment, and Assignment Editors
(Toronto) For hundreds of people gathered at more than 30 KAIROS events across Canada, participating in Earth Hour was more than a symbolic gesture – it was an act of faith and a chance to send a message to the Harper government in Ottawa.
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is a church-based. nongovernmental organization (NGO) that works on a wide range of social justice issues in Canada, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, including ecological justice.
Young and old from all walks of life participated in events organized by a network of local KAIROS committees in cities and towns across Canada. Some held prayer services by candlelight, others gathered around bonfires and watched stars, still others sang and told stories at social events.
The events were varied, but the message to the federal government was consistent.
“We’re here because we care about all of creation,” said Sara Stratton KAIROS' Campaign Coordinator speaking at the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto. “We’re willing to do our parts as individuals and communities, but that won’t be enough to save this planet from ecological disaster. Our government has got to do its part. We need a just and sustainable energy policy in this country”.
Using candle and lamplight, crowds at the KAIROS events signed banners and postcards bearing this message that will be sent to the Prime Minister. One of the things they’re demanding the government do is to stop spending millions to subisidize profitable oil and gas companies. They want the government to redirect that spending to renewable and alternative energy sources instead.
KAIROS groups in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick held Earth Hour activities. Some even got their local municipalities to sign on to Earth Hour.
KAIROS Earth Hour activities are just one of a series initiatives that make up its Re-energize campaign aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. Find out more at www.re-energize.org.
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Media contact:
Adiat Junaid
Communications Coordinator
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice
Initiatives
(416) 463 5312,
ext. 223
ajunaid
www.kairoscanada.org
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