UniSey joins Earth Hour initiative |24 March 2018
The planting of exotic fruit trees
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) is encouraging all its staff and students to observe Earth Hour which is being celebrated today from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
This request was made yesterday during a brief activity organised at its Anse Royale campus to commemorate Earth Hour and was attended by the university’s staff and students.
Earth Hour is an annual worldwide movement organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) wherein people are urged to turn off lights and electrical appliances for an hour. The event made its debut in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has grown to become an annual occurrence engaging more than 7000 cities and towns across 187 countries.
Dr Justin Valentin, UniSey’s vice-chancellor, kick-started yesterday’s activity with an opening remark in which he highlighted the need for staff, students and the public to participate in the Earth Hour initiative.
“I would like everyone, at 8.30pm, to switch off your lights and enjoy a candle light or moonlight dinner or any other social activity as a symbol of commitment to the planet,” he stated.
Dr Valentin further added that the university’s staff and students who choose to participate should send in photos of their Earth Hour activity so that it can be uploaded to the institution’s social media accounts and website.
His announcement was followed by the planting of 10 exotic fruit trees sponsored by Wildlife Club Seychelles and the Earth Hour Pledge by students.
“We find it fitting that we are planting these trees today because the 2018 Earth Hour theme is ‘Connect To Earth’ and the planting of trees best represents this theme,” Dr Valentin said.
It is the first time that UniSey participates in the Earth Hour activity and has decided to do so this year to create awareness.