The Big Switch Off

The Big Switch Off is an independent environmental campaign launched in Melbourne in November 2006. It is a "40-hour Famine style" challenge to residents to switch off the electricity and gas connections to their houses, refrain from using petrol and batteries for 24 hours.
The goals of the campaign are to increase awareness of the need for energy efficiency.
Intended to be a fun and social day, the Big Switch Off was planned for 6 and 7 October 2007, starting at 8 pm on the Saturday night and ending at 8 pm on the Sunday night. An event is planned to be staged in Melbourne on the Sunday night, with all participants welcome to attend. Other, smaller gatherings are also being organised, to be listed on the Big Switch Off website.
Since its launch in November, several newspaper articles have been published both promoting and condemning the campaign, first in Melbourne daily 'The Age' on Thursday 7 December 2006, just a day before the first Big Switch Off. This was followed up on the Friday by a negative article published in rival newspaper the Herald Sun written by the well known 'anti-environmentalist' Andrew Bolt.
Since the trial run in December 2006, publicity and support has grown for the campaign.

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