The new Irish Minister for the environment hailed Earth Hour’s demonstration of the ‘widespread support for positive action’ at the Irish launch of Earth Hour in Dublin.
He called on the Irish public to show their support for Earth Hour’s ‘global effort to highlight environmental sustainability’ and urged governments, businesses and individuals to work together
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Gerry Breen, committed Dublin to Earth Hour again this year. He said that ‘Dublin was the first city in Europe to support Earth Hour’, adding ‘I am proud to continue a tradition which shows the power of small nations, individuals and communities to come together and send a powerful message.’
‘In a year in which Dublin is twinning with Beijing, itself an ardent supporter of Earth Hour, it is particularly appropriate that Dublin plays its part in this international event’.
Duncan Stewart, RTE’s Eco-Eye presenter and environmentalist who is the Irish Ambassador for Earth Hour, says that ‘Earth Hour for me means that once a year for one hour we celebrate our environment – and the need to protect our environment. We should just switch off our lights, walk out of house – even for one minute – and communicate with everyone else on our streets – even in country areas – to show that we care about our environment.’
In Ireland Government buildings, Leinster House, the Custom House, and the Four Courts will go dark. Across the country, the Rock of Cashel, the most visited heritage site in Ireland, will be plunged into darkness for Earth Hour, as will Cahir Castle, Ormonde Castle, Carrick on Suir, Donegal Castle and Trim Castle in Co. Meath, the largest Anglo Norman castle in Ireland.
To demonstrate a global concern for the environment and global warming, six cyclists will power an open air cinema in Dublin.
In Northern Ireland, Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly, will host a lights-out ghost tour of the building.
Cork’s Blackrock Observatory will show a special screening of ‘The Pipe’, the documentary about the Shell to Sea Campaign.
On Kinsale beach there will be a child-friendly launch of sky lanterns to highlight the event.
Dublin’s Q102 FM Radio is giving away free pump torches to everyone with an idea for Earth Hour who calls the station.
Attending the launch were representatives of Ireland’s three main energy companies. Above: – John Campion (Executive Director of ESB Electric Ireland), Duncan Stewart, (environmentalist and Ireland's Earth Hour Ambassador for 2011), The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Larry Donald (Director of Group Corporate Affairs, Bord Gáis Energy) Tony Lowes, (Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, organisers of Earth Hour in Ireland for the World Wildlife Fund) and Jason Cooke, (Head of Communications, Airtricity)
“Earth Hour is a powerful symbolic initiative which demonstrates worldwide concern for our environment and widespread support for positive action. We all need to work together - Governments, businesses and individuals - to protect and improve our environment. I am happy that Ireland is again joining this global effort to highlight environmental sustainability and I call on the public to show your support on Saturday night.” Phil Hogan, Irish Minister for the Environment."
This year Earth Hour will begin with a moments silence to remember those killed by the recent disasters in Japan.
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Notes to editors
Earth Hour 2011 will take place at 8.30pm, Saturday, 26 March, 2011.
Images and video footage are available from the Earth Hour Global media centre: http://www.earthhour.org/mediasite/globalpressrelease.aspx
Interviews:
Friends of the Irish Environment
Tony Lowes, 027 74771 / 087 21763616 in Ireland
Irish Earth Hour page:
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/?id=26
To interview Andy Ridley, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Earth Hour, please contact:
Jaya Myler, Earth Hour Global, Ph: +61 (0) 422 202 881, E: jaya@earthhour.org
Or the Earth Hour Global media team on Ph: +61 404 929 243, E: newsdesk@earthhour.org
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global initiative in partnership with WWF. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney in 2007, through a partnership between WWF Australia, Leo Burnett and Fairfax Media, when 2 million people in one city switched off their lights. By 2010, Earth Hour had created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 128 countries and territories and every continent, including the world’s most recognized man-made marvels and natural wonders in a landmark environmental action.
about WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global Network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Tony Lowes, Director, Friends of the Irish Environment.
Tel & Fax: 353 (0)27 74771
MOBILE: 087 2176316
SKYPE tonylowes
TWITTER: tonylowes
Friends of the Irish Environment is a company limited by guarantee registered in Ireland.
Registered Office: Kilcatherine, Eyeries, Co Cork. Company No. 326985.
Directors: Caroline Lewis, Tony Lowes.
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