Energy issues has become public concern. This condition drove Student Executive Board (BEM) and Mechanical Engineering Department Student Association (HMM) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) conduct Earth Hour on Saturday (25/03) at Lapangan Bintang of UMY.

Chief of the Committee Niko Prastomo informed that the theme of the Earth Hour was ‘Uniting People to Protect the Earth’. It aimed at encouraging people to care and preserve this earth.

“Switching off lights at UMY from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. can save energy for next generation. No universities, but UMY, organizes this Earth Hour at campus,” declared Niko.

The Earth is commonly held in public spaces. For instance, in Yogyakarta, the Earth Hour is often conducted at Ambarukmo Plaza yard and town square (Alun-Alun Utara) of Yogyakarta. “Therefore, we conduct the Earth Hour at UMY. This is also to show that UMY’s students care and contribute to save energy,” he told.

The Earth Hour was carried out internationally once a year, on March 23. Initiated by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) organizing a global program in 2007, namely a large scale switch off at houses and offices for an hour. The program aimed at raising people’s awareness of climate change. Earth Hour was firstly held in Yogyakarta 2010.

Besides, electrical car community, community of Bike to Campus, and electrical bike community were invited to enliven the Earth Hour.