The Ministry of Industry and Trade on March 6 officially launched a campaign ahead of the 2014 Earth Hour, urging everyone to make changes for a greener planet.

The annual drive aims to raise public awareness about the importance of saving electricity and alleviating climate change threats.

Deputy head of the General Department of Energy under the Ministry, Nguyen Khac Tho, called on all organisations, businesses and individuals to turn off lights and other unnecessary power sources during earth hour from 20:30 to 21:30 on March 29.

At the launch, the organising board introduced three faces representing this year’s campaign - Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen, runner-up of Miss Vietnam 2008 Thuy Van and singer Bao Tram.

Nielsen said that the Danish Government will support Vietnam’s efforts to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

A wide range of activities will be organised during the campaign, including drawing competitions and cycling events.

All Vietnamese provinces and cities took part in last year’s event, saving 401,000 kWh of electricity to the national grid, of which 219,000 kWh was saved in Hanoi.-VNA