Published on:
13
March 2009
Clackmannanshire is the latest Scottish local authority to sign up to WWF's Earth Hour 2009. At 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March the people of Clackmannanshire will join millions across the globe in switching off their lights for 60 minutes in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change. [1]
Clackmannanshire Council today confirmed that it will mark Earth Hour by switching off the floodlights on Alloa Town Hall.
With less than a month to go, citizens, businesses and public authorities in nearly 700 cities in more than 75 countries have already committed to turning off their lights for one hour. [2] Some of the most recognised landmarks on the planet are switching off their lights too. Including: Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Bridge, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, CN Tower in Toronto and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said: "It is great news Clackmannanshire Council has given its backing to WWF's Earth Hour 2009. It promises to be the biggest show of support ever involving communities from around the world in a dramatic hour of action on climate change.
"WWF's Earth Hour is a simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. Clackmannanshire's decision to join WWF's Earth Hour highlights their commitment to this issue and demonstrates to others around the world that Scotland is willing to take action to address climate change."
Councillor Eddie Carrick, portfolio holder for sustainability, said: "I'm delighted that we are able to show our support for this world wide movement and encourage everyone in Clackmannanshire to take part. Clackmannanshire Council is committed to doing its part to reduce climate change, from our new, energy efficient schools to our superb recycling record. But we cannot afford to be complacent. Taking an hour to see what it is like to live without the energy we take for granted is a striking way to raise awareness of the impact we have on our environment."
[1] WWF's Earth Hour - 8.30pm, Saturday 28 March 2009
WWF's Earth Hour lights-out initiative began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as an awareness-raising exercise. In 2008, it went spectacularly global when more than 50 million people in more than 270 cities in over 35 countries turned off their lights for one hour in March. This year WWF's Earth Hour will be even bigger with towns and cities signing up across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information visit: http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour
[2] The list of cities confirming their participation in WWF's Earth Hour includes some of the great cities of the world, including Beijing, Rome, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Athens, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Sydney, Mexico City, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Manila, Las Vegas, Brussels, Cape Town, Helsinki, Edinburgh, London and Cardiff.
[3] On 5th December 2008 the Scottish Government published a draft Climate Change Bill. WWF Scotland is calling on MSPs from all parties to back a strong Climate Change Bill which includes:
For further information, please contact:
WWF: Mandy Carter, t: 01350 728200, m: 07771 818677,
Phone above numbers to arrange radio interviews on our ISDN line 01350 728276.