People all across America also attended more than 25 city events held just before or on Saturday, 19 June. In addition to US press coverage, international coverage ranged from the UK to Australia, India and other countries.
“We are immensely pleased with the public, solar industry and media support for this, the second year of SolarDay. We can’t wait for SolarDay 2011, which will include more U.S. and International cities and countries. Planning begins in August 2010 for the 2011 campaign,” said John Reed, SolarDay’s Communications Director.
The SolarDay Mission Statement is to create a national and international day of awareness and celebration of SolarDay, including the many benefits of solar energy and energy independence; the creation of more sustainable lifestyles and businesses and the adoption of green and clean-technology that does not adversely affect the planet and the atmosphere.
Its organisers hope to achieve this through SolarDay activities in the US and worldwide experienced by hundreds of millions of people and governments with the objectives of 40 nations participating by 2014; and by gaining official recognition of SolarDay by the US government as an annual day of recognition of solar energy and the goal of energy independence as a fundamental part of citizen and business sustainability objectives for the country.
At the start of June for example, US House Representative Doris Matsui, representing the 5th district in California, officially expressed her support for SolarDay 2010 in an official letter. “The second annual SolarDay will spread awareness and education about the incredible capabilities of solar power. Harvesting the sun's energy can create jobs and make our nation energy independent,” she said. “The Solar Energy Industries Association in fact predicts that over 60,000 jobs will be created in the solar industry by the end of this year. This is truly remarkable.”
SolarDay and developing countries
SolarDay is providing low-cost solar power to provide electricity in developing countries through its Light the Nigh and Solar Village programmemes. Solar devices are used to provide electricity to pump clean water, process crops, enable telephone and internet communication, and offer solar-generated, battery-powered lighting for adults and children in villages all over the world – from India to Indonesia, Africa to South America – to learn at night, conduct commerce and improve their lives.
SolarDay works with solar manufacturers and solar trade organisations in the developed countries in partnership with the United Nations, non-profit organizations and NGO’s to identify the areas of greatest need to implement these beneficial programmemes.
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