Earth Hour celebrations will move to the historic Royal Naval Dockyard this month.

On March 24, unnecessary lights will be switched off throughout the island with support from the Government of Bermuda, West End Development Corporation, Belco, the Corporation of Hamilton, the Corporation of St George and the Chamber of Commerce.

Jonathan Starling, executive director of Greenrock, said: “Earth Hour is a symbolic movement to encourage a more sustainable approach to earth and in our daily life.

“Earth Hour is not a localised one-area event, it is also island-wide and global.”

At a press conference, Wedco noted that Dockyard is one of Bermuda’s busiest tourist attractions and said it has a responsibility to protect it as an historic site.

Celebrations will kick off at 7pm with live entertainment, food vendors, face painting, educational booths and speeches from representatives of the key organisations involved.

The City of Hamilton will again participate in Earth Hour, but to a limited capacity owing to “safety precautions”.

Zoe Mulholland, communications manager for the Corporation of Hamilton, said: “City Hall will go dark as will the Pier 6 complex and our City parks.

“There won’t be any traffic lights going down, and no street lights and lights in car parks will be affected.

“We need to make sure that our motorists feel safe and secure when they go to and from their cars.”

The theme for this year’s event will focus on reducing general plastic pollution and its impact on the environment.

Organisers are encouraging all participants to use reusable water bottles and glow products rather than single-use items.

Mr Starling added: “We’re looking at reducing plastic bottles, plastic coffee pods, plastic bags, plastic disposable wipes and plastic microbeads.

Vanese Flood-Gordon, waste education and enforcement officer for the Ministry of Public Works, said: “Waste reduction is the number-one thing that anyone on the planet can do to help our environment.

“By discouraging the use of single-use plastics, Greenrock is really meshing with the philosophy that I teach to students and corporate entities in Bermuda.”

The main event is the 5K Glow Fun Walk & Run, which will take place during Earth Hour at 8.30pm. Race registration on racedayworld.com is now open.

Funds raised for Earth Hour are used primarily to support Greenrock’s community projects and programmes to help create a more sustainable Bermuda.

This year, the charity is asking participants to raise pledges in support of those programmes.

Organisers are seeking volunteers to assist with the Earth Hour event.

• For more information, call 292-5406 or e-mail info@greenrock.org