Pearson will dim the lights for Earth Hour

2008-03-24 11:56:05.000

Mississauga News

http://www.mississauganews.com/article/12409

Officials at Pearson International say the Mississauga airport is first in the world to commit to participating in Earth Hour next Saturday, "to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming."

Light levels will be significantly reduced in both Pearson terminals from 8-9 p.m. during the designated hour, when lights are being dimmed across the globe.

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority’s target is to reduce energy usage by four megawatts during Earth Hour. Typical daily usage for Pearson averages between 30 and 38 megawatts.

“The GTAA is proud to be taking part in this significant event,” said 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.”
The airport will reduce its heating as well as its lighting for the designated hour. Only one of two LINK trains will run between the terminals and parking facilities.

In a press release, the GTAA said that, "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."

Fuel emissions from airplanes are among the leading causes of global warming. A round trip between New York and London can equal more than two months worth of gas for driving your car.

The GTAA says it has made numerous efforts to reduce its energy use, which was cut by about 47,000 megawatts in 2007. Those measures include better temperature control on passenger boarding bridges and energy controllers on some escalators, moving walkways and elevators that reduce the electrical draw when those devices are not in use.

The GTAA formed an energy management committee in 2005 that focuses on conserving electrical energy.