Published on:
19
March 2013
Clackmannanshire is the latest Scottish local authority to sign up to WWF's Earth Hour 2013. At 8.30pm on Saturday 23rd 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 people and wildlife threatened by climate change. [1]
Last year millions of people in 152 countries worldwide took part in WWF's Earth Hour. Some of world's most recognisable landmarks went dark including the Houses of Parliament and Sydney Opera House. In Scotland hundreds of schools, businesses, organisations and community groups joined in the big switch off.
This year in addition to lights-out at iconic Scottish locations like Edinburgh Castle, WWF is encouraging everyone to show their support for the switch to a better energy future. To register for this year's event please visit: ww.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour
Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland said: "It is great news Clackmannanshire Council has given its backing once again to WWF's Earth Hour 2013. Already it's looking to be another great year with communities up and down the country joining together with others 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 Council's decision to join WWF's Earth Hour highlights their commitment to this issue. We hope lots of individuals, community groups and local organisations feel inspired to take part too."
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Enterprise and Environment Convenor, said: " Earth Hour demonstrates, in a very visual way, that people recognise climate change as one of the most significant threats facing people and nature. I encourage everyone to sign up and take part again in 2013. The Council will be switching off the lights at Greenfield House,
Lime Tree House, Kilncraigs and Alloa Town Hall on Saturday in support of Earth Hour. The floodlighting at Castle Campbell is also going to be switched of for Earth Hour.
"Earth Hour is now a global event and growing every year. It is an important step on the road to converting our planet to a low carbon existence. I will be switching the lights in my home off for the hour. So why don't you do the same on Saturday 23rd March and do your bit. We hope that by taking part people will think a bit more about the energy they use, where it comes from and the impact this has on the environment and climate change."
[1] WWF's Earth Hour - 8.30pm, Saturday 23 March 2013
For more information about WWF's Earth Hour
http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour
WWF's Earth Hour lights-out initiative began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as an awareness-raising exercise. By 2012 174 countries participated, thousands of cities across all 7 continents, 8 out of the 10 most populated cities, 25 of the world's megacities and 79 capital cities. In 2010 Scotland became the first country to secure support from 100 per cent of its cities and local authorities. Iconic buildings such as Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Parliament and the Falkirk Wheel switched off, alongside the Sydney Opera House, Eiffel Tower and Pyramids of Giza. 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.
[2] WWF Scotland is supported in Scotland by the players of People's Postcode Lottery and the Scottish Government.