Chileans told to take off ties

It's a common sight(司空見慣) during the Southern Hemisphere(南半球) summer to see Chilean men sweltering(悶熱的) in suits and neckties.

From December to March, the temperature in the capital regularly tops 30 degrees Celsius. In the bone-dry north of the country it gets even higher.

So the government's told the country's menfolk(男人) to shed (拿掉)their ties, undo(解開) their top buttons and turn down the air conditioning(空調).

It estimates(估計) that by doing so Chile can save around US$ 10 million during the four hottest months of the year, and save 120,000 tonnes in carbon emissions(碳排放量).

The government launched(推出) its initiative(措施) with a video in which four ministers ripped(撕下) off their ties. Energy conservation(保護) is a key issue(關鍵問題) in Chile, which, unlike many countries in Latin America, produces virtually(幾乎) no oil and gas.

It relies(依賴) heavily on(很大程度上) hydro-electric power(水力發電), but that often runs low during the summer, when the country's reservoirs(水庫) are frequently(經常) hit by(遭受) drought(旱災).

Gideon Long