Back to list Service & repair Mar 27, 2012 23:00 Texans Can Make A Difference One Earth Hour At A Time Houston, TX (March 28th 2012) - Earth Hour is about more than just turning off the lights for one hour. It's about making the planet a better one, yet the event remains unknown to many Texans. Earth Hour, now approaching its fifth year, is a one-hour global call to action that encourages individuals, community groups and businesses to turn off the lights for an hour to show that one person can make a difference against climate change. This year's event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on March 31. According to an impromptu Facebook poll conducted by Direct Energy in March, only 3 percent of those polled said they were very familiar with the event. About 19 percent said they were somewhat familiar while 76 percent of people said they were not familiar with Earth Hour. "Earth Hour is a great example of what the average person can do to help raise awareness about conserving energy," said Jim Steffes, Direct Energy's Vice President. "Earth Hour is about more than just turning your lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. It's about the effect seemingly small efforts can have and the impact we can make if everyone contributes a little effort. It also offers you the chance to spend time talking, playing or creating art with the family. You have the power to make a lasting change." Earth Hour in 2011, set a record for participation with more than 1.8 billion people in 5,200 cities from 135 countries taking part, according to the World Wildlife Federation, which organizes the event. The WWF is a leading conservation organization working in 100 countries and dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth. But what do people do nowadays for an hour without electronics - smart phone, television or computer? That's where the creative mind can find flourish. If you want total darkness, perhaps sitting on the porch or patio sharing stories is the perfect pastime. If the weather permits, try lying out in the yard looking at the stars in the sky. Lighting some candles adds a romantic, soft glow to any activity and might prevent you from bumping into furniture and getting hurt. If you're a musician, give a recital to show off your skills. Otherwise, sing some favorite songs to ease people's moods, particularly those afraid of the dark. Nothing beats a great story when the lights are low. The daring might opt for ghost stories. Share highlights of your week with the rest of the family and hear theirs. If stories are lacking, plan a great family trip during lights out by brainstorming possible destinations or activities. Other suggestions are lighting the fireplace and roasting marshmallows; building a fort out of blankets; exploring the yard or home with flashlights; or walking around the neighborhood. "Join the fight to conserve energy and ask friends and family to do the same," Steffes said. "The more we know about how to help the planet, the better choices we make in our daily lives." For more information on the event, visit www.EarthHour.org. About Direct Energy Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Through its Direct Energy, CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy brands, the company is the third-largest retail electricity provider in Texas. It owns three power generation facilities and a series of energy-related services companies. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 states and 10 provinces in Canada. For further information, please contact: Shabina Zakaria Direct Energy 1-713-877-3611 Shabina.Zakaria@directenergy.com Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com.