Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “This is an impressive achievement for Raanana, which joined the project this year, as part of its commitment to work toward protecting the environment.  I wish to thank all of the city’s residents who answered the call and turned off the lights in their homes for an hour”

The city of Raanana was ranked third in terms of electricity conservation during the Earth Hour, which came to 4%, according to the Electric Company’s data.  It was among 13 local authorities that took part in ten Earth Day program and turned off its lights for one hour.  During the Earth Hour, the Raanana City Hall and other Raanana public institutions turned off their lights for one hour, between the hours of 20:40 and 21:40.

Raanana celebrated Earth Day with a list of activities run by the Education System, including information on the subject.  The Nativ Ha’or children from the  elementary schools, who participated in the electricity safety and conservation project run by the Electric Company and the Green Leadership Councils, held activities in the classes and distributed information sheets to parents.

Throughout the day, workshops were held at the Open University on various subjects, where the main event will be run by the Nativ Ha’or children, who presented alternative energies.  Students from Hayovel Elementary School  presented the exhibition of illustrator Kfir Weizman – “Ecological Crisis – Another Look at Sustainability” – which consists of a collection of illustrations focusing on the damages caused by man to nature and the environment.  An end of the year event for Nativ Ha’or students will also be held on the campus and attended by Mayor Nahum Hofree, electric company representatives, parents and the educational faculty.

In the afternoon, the Open University offered a seminar on sustainability – “Here and Now”, which was attended by Mayor Nahum Hofree and Open University President, Professor Hagit Messer-Yaron.  As part of this seminar, academics in the field of environmental protection, natural and life sciences, Jewish studies and philosophy lectured on a variety of fascinating subjects.     At the end of the seminar the film, “Home”, was screened, which includes a series of photographs of the earth’s beauty, as well as the environmental damage caused by man.

In the photos:  The Mayor pulls down the light switch at the City Hall.  The City Hall building before and during the black-out.  Photographer:  Sharon Bokov.