OREANDA-NEWS. On March 29, 2008 World Wildlife Fund, Latvian television and the programme Vides Fakti welcomed public participation in “Earth Hour 2008” by turning off the lights and electric appliances for one hour. Earth Hour is a symbolic event created to make people aware of climate change and to remind that each one of us can prevent global warming of the Earth, reported the press-centre of Latvijas dzelzcels.

Electricity and heat generation, as well as unreasonable consumption of resources produce harmful CO2 emissions. By reducing energy consumption we can fight against global warming and climate change, which now has become the biggest danger in the world. The event is symbolic, but it shows that we are not indifferent to the planet’s future.

SJSC Latvijas dzelzcels (LDz) as well is involved in “Earth Hour 2008”. Ugis Magonis, Chairman of the Board (LDz), says: “By turning off the illuminations of the railway bridge across the river Daugava, the aim of Earth Hour is to make people aware of the climate problems. Besides, LDz also takes notice of nature protection on an everyday basis. This year we have budgeted 4 million lats for nature protection, and we treat as a priority economizing of energy power resources. Therefore, we make modernization of the locomotive park to reduce the consumption of diesel fuel. We also change lighting fixtures to more modern and economical power supply devices on a regular basis.”