PERTH in Australia, Scotland and Canada unite to switch off, as cities and towns across the globe prepare to dim their lights for WWF’s Earth Hour.
Residents, businesses and schools in Perth in Scotland, Perth in Australia and Perth in Canada will unite by switching off their lights for WWF’s Earth Hour 2011, it was announced today (Tuesday 1 March).
Says a spokesperson: “On Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm buildings and landmarks in Perthshire and throughout Scotland will be plunged into darkness as thousands of people switch off their lights or hold events in the dark to demonstrate support for people and wildlife affected by climate change.
“Last year, around the world 4,616 cities and towns in 128 countries took part. Earth Hour 2011 is set to be even bigger and better with new countries and territories already registered to take part including Jamaica, Uganda and Swaziland.
“Perth in Scotland and Australia will be coordinating to switch off the lights on public buildings, landmarks and their respective concert halls, while Perth in Canada will turn off the Town Hall lights.”
A number of Perthshire businesses, schools and organisations are also busy preparing for Earth Hour. More details on those activities and how residents of Perthshire can get involved will be published soon.
WWF Scotland said that Earth Hour 2011 is already on course to be a record in Scotland. Already signed up are the Scottish Government, hundreds of schools, businesses and iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and Falkirk Wheel. Also, for the first time ever, every one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have committed to supporting the global event.
WWF Scotland’s director, Dr Richard Dixon, said:
“WWF’s Earth Hour is a fun and simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. Individuals, towns and cities form the backbone of Earth Hour.
“We are delighted that Perth in Scotland is linking up with others around the world.
“City leaders have been among our strongest supporters over the past four years and continue to play an important role in engaging their communities to take positive action.
“WWF’s Earth Hour gives cities and towns an opportunity to showcase what their community has done for the environment and commit to the actions they will sustain for earth beyond the hour.
“Across Scotland, hundreds of schools, businesses and individuals are getting together to hold a wide range of activities, including torch-lit walks or candle-lit dinner parties.
“This year we are also asking people to think what they can do beyond the Hour to tackle climate change at home or in their work place and in their community.”
The Provost of Perth, Scotland, Dr John Hulbert, said:
“I am delighted we have been able to link up with other Perths around the world for this very worthwhile cause. We have a very good relationship with our namesake towns in both Canada and Australia.
“WWF’s Earth Hour serves as a good reminder that wherever we are, we can all do something to support the planet we depend upon to live.
“Cutting down on the energy we use, not just for Earth Hour, but whenever possible, is something I am sure we can all do in some way. I would encourage everyone to consider what they can do, whether at home or work.”
Louisa Jacobs, business development manager for Perth Concert Hall in Scotland, said:
“We work hard to reduce the impacts of our activities through our company goal of Going Green. Turning off the lights for WWF Earth Hour is an opportunity to showcase this commitment on a global stage.
“We love the idea of ‘Perth Hour’, sharing our green goals with similar venues and cities across the world and look forward to joining with businesses and communities from Scotland to Canada, Australia and beyond to highlight our collective responsibility to protect our planet.”
Perth resident and local Earth Hour volunteer, Naomi Clarke, said:
“It’s been really amazing how willing the residents and businesses of Perth seem to be in supporting WWF’s Earth Hour. Climate change is a global problem that needs tackled both at a global and at a local level.
“By linking up Perths around the globe for Earth Hour I hope people will be inspired to do what they can on this issue now and long after the Hour is over.”
ENDS
[1] WWF’s Earth Hour – 8.30pm, Saturday 26 March 2011 For more information about WWF’s Earth Hour http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour
WWF’s Earth Hour lights-out initiative started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. A year later, and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating.
Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.
In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4,000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
In March 2010, WWF’s Earth Hour became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off.
People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
Here in Scotland, 29 local authorities, 300 schools and over 100 businesses and organisations joined in.
Some of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks went dark including Edinburgh Castle, The Falkirk Wheel, Inverness Castle, the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood House and Kelvingrove Museum.
WWF’s Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM (local time). This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by WWF Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Mandy Carter
Phone: 01350 728200
Website: http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk
