Five New Zealand councils and community groups in Central Otago, Hastings, Selwyn, Tauranga, and Upper Hutt have won WWF-New Zealand funding to support their Earth Hour events and activities – joining with communities around the world for the global ‘lights out for the planet’ event, taking place at 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March 2011.
WWF-New Zealand’s Earth Hour Community Fund selected the winning group for their innovative community led-events that engage and inspire people towards collective action on sustainable living. The fund totals $11,000 this year, with grants supporting events and activities encouraging action during Earth Hour and beyond the hour, from Earth Hour acoustic concerts to sustainability education expos and workshops for residents.
“In New Zealand, local councils have been the main partners delivering Earth Hour community events for the last three years, and we are delighted this year to offer some of them our support through the new Earth Hour Community Fund,” said WWF-New Zealand Climate Change Campaigner, Lee Barry. “This year, Earth Hour’s global message is strongly focused on inspiring people to make a personal commitment to build on the momentum of Earth Hour and go beyond the hour.”
One recipient of the fund, Tauranga City Council, is running a ' Sixty 4 Sixty ' Earth Hour campaign , challenging Tauranga to go beyond the hour. Michelle Elborn, Sustainability Advisor for Tauranga City Council explains: "The idea of the ‘Sixty 4 Sixty’ Earth Hour campaign is to challenge sixty Tauranga businesses, schools or organisations to make commitments for sustainable action beyond Earth Hour. We thought this is a great way of showcasing positive action and highlighting how many small actions can collectively make a huge difference. "
Another recipient of the Earth Hour Community Fund, Clair Higginson, Coordinator for Central Otago's sustainable living programme said: “Our two Earth Hour expos in Roxburgh and Alexandra are community learning events. People can come along and learn the skills they need to get by - whether that's for environmental sustainability, coping on a budget or fending for ourselves in a crisis."
"We'll have speakers, displays and workshops on a whole range of topics including growing your own food, saving energy and money on power bills, raising hens, preparing and preserving food on a budget and making candles for Earth Hour."
Reflecting the community-led nature of Earth Hour, she said: "An Earth Hour celebration in the park with music will follow on after the expo in Alexandra - we don't have to plan that too much, our community will ensure it happens."
Communities elsewhere in New Zealand are also stepping up to celebrate Earth Hour in their own way; Carter Observatory in Wellington will host a free stargazing evening, and a resident in Auckland is hoping to hold a gathering with buskers and acoustic music in the Auckland Domain on Earth Hour night to raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake appeal.
Earth Hour began as a single city event in 2007 and has since grown to become the world’s biggest voluntary action for the planet. In 2010, 1.25 million New Zealand adults were amongst hundreds of millions of people across 128 countries took part in Earth Hour.
“New Zealanders are strong supporters of Earth Hour, with large proportions of the population taking part over the last three years. It’s clear Kiwis want action on climate change, and are prepared to take personal action to do their bit,” said Ms Barry. “WWF is committed to making sure the government also takes strong action on climate change, which will make living sustainably easier for everyone.”
Earth Hour is open source enabling any council, community group or individual to organise their own event using free downloadable materials from www.earthhour.org. People can also visit http://www.wwf.org.nz/earth_hour/ to post details of Earth Hour events, find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood, connect to the global community, and make their ‘beyond the hour’ pledge.
-ends-
Notes to editors
The Earth Hour Community Fund 2011 was a contestable national fund run by WWF-New Zealand to support New Zealand councils’ and community groups’ Earth Hour events and programmes inspiring people in their locality to live sustainably.
The five successful councils are: Tauranga City Council, Hastings District Council, Lower Hutt City Council, Selwyn District Council, and Central Otago Rural Education Activities Programme.
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, when 2 million people switched off their lights. By 2010, Earth Hour had created history as the largest voluntary action ever witnessed with participation across 128 countries 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 respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’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.
Notes to editors
Earth Hour 2011 will take place at 8.30pm, Saturday, 26 March, 2011. A special Earth Hour ‘60+’ logo reflecting the call to go ‘beyond the hour’ in 2011 can be obtained in hi-res at the following link: http://www.divshare.com/direct/13222108-5e9.zip
Interviews:
To speak with the Earth Hour global team, or to add your name to the global media distribution list, please contact: Jaya Myler, Earth Hour Global, Ph: +61 (0) 422 202 881 E: jaya@earthhour.org
To contact the New Zealand Earth Hour community groups, or for WWF-New Zealand spokespeople, please contact Jenny Riches, WWF-New Zealand Communications & Marketing Manager M: 0274477158 or 04 4714288 or jriches@wwf.org.nz
Monday, March 7, 2011
Earth Hour and Girl Scouts Team Up to Honor the Planet
Partnership Encourages Environmental Education, Conservation
NEW YORK – March 2, 2011 – Earth Hour and Girls Scouts of the USA today announce a collaboration to increase environmental education, awareness and action. This collaboration is part of the Earth Hour global campaign, launched today in Singapore, that marks the beginning of a new phase for Earth Hour to “go beyond the hour” – encouraging people to capture, share and inspire environmental conversation and action year-round.
Earth Hour is a global initiative that invites individuals, businesses, governments and communities to turn off their lights for one hour – 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 – to show support for environmentally sustainable action. In the United States, Earth Hour is partnering with the Girl Scouts to bring the movement to life.
“Our organizations have a common purpose – to create a better environment for future generations,” said Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director Andy Ridley. “Girl Scouts make a tangible difference in their communities. The support of such a respected organization helps us contribute to the environmental education of young people and spread this global movement across generations and geographies.”
Initially a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, Earth Hour has become a global movement in which hundreds of millions of people from every continent join together to acknowledge the importance of protecting and improving the planet. Earth Hour 2010 was the world’s largest global climate change initiative, with millions of participants in more than 4,600 cities across nearly 130 countries and territories. Since its inception in 2007, Earth Hour’s iconic “lights out” event has seen some of the world’s most recognized landmarks switch off their lights, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Buckingham Palace in London, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and the Forbidden City in China.
This year, nearly 20 Girl Scout Councils from across the country will be organizing Earth Hour activities:
• Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
• Girl Scouts of Citrus Council (Florida)
• Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle
• Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
• Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida
• Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Colorado
• Girl Scouts of Connecticut
• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
• Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
• Girl Scouts of Hawai’i
• Girl Scouts of Louisiana East
• Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
• Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
• Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council
• Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
• Girl Scouts of Utah
– more –
Earth Hour and Girl Scouts Team Up to Honor the Planet Page 2
"Our girls care deeply about the environment, and this partnership gives them a simple way to share this passion with their friends, families and communities," said Kathy Cloninger, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. “It’s important that we all do our part to protect the environment.”
Thousands of Girl Scouts across the country will be participating in community activities to support Earth Hour on March 26. Examples of projects include:
• The Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle is encouraging people to lower energy use by replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). More than 400 girls have distributed 3,500 CFLs at cookie booths across 19 counties as part of the campaign.
• The Girl Scouts of Colorado is planning an event at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver to go dark for Earth Hour and have girls with rechargeable flashlights form the letters “GS” on the west steps. Girls are encouraging communities to install energy-saving light bulbs and are handing out bulbs to communities across the state.
In addition, many Girl Scouts are taking activities beyond the hour by installing ENERGY STAR®-qualified or other energy-efficient light bulbs in homes, schools and businesses during the month of March.
The Earth Hour collaboration is one part of the Girl Scouts’ broader commitment to environmental sustainability. Girl Scouts Forever Green (GSFG), the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Take Action Project, is a national effort of girls leading their families, schools and communities in improving the environment and protecting natural resources. The effort offers a meaningful leadership experience that makes a positive impact on the environment through three key projects: 1) using reusable water bottles and bags to reduce plastic waste; 2) planting and maintaining rain gardens at schools, homes and other sites; and 3) participation in Earth Hour events. Participants are also encouraged to take an online pledge stating their yearlong commitment to GSFG efforts. Beginning in July, all 112 Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas will be invited to participate in Girl Scouts Forever Green.
“The Girl Scouts Forever Green project is a great example of how organizations can take Earth Hour beyond the hour and make a positive difference for the future of the planet,” Ridley added.
There currently are only 24 days until Earth Hour 2011, which asks the world to:
• Switch off lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26, and celebrate a commitment to the planet with the people of the world;
• Sign up and share stories of actions that benefit the planet on www.earthhour.org; and
• Sustain environmentally focused actions beyond the hour and share your act with the world at www.earthhour.org/beyondthehour.
For more information, visit www.earthhour.org or www.girlscouts.org/forevergreen.
– more –
Earth Hour and Girl Scouts Team Up to Honor the Planet Page 3
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 p.m. to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people 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 Girl Scouts Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org. For more information on It's Your Planet, Love it visit www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_planet.
###
Media Contacts:
Josh Ackley
Girl Scouts of the USA
Phone: (212) 852-8038
jackley@girlscouts.org
Chelsey Watts
Fleishman-Hillard
Phone: (314) 982-7705
Chelsey.watts@fleishman.com
NEW YORK – March 2, 2011 – Earth Hour and Girls Scouts of the USA today announce a collaboration to increase environmental education, awareness and action. This collaboration is part of the Earth Hour global campaign, launched today in Singapore, that marks the beginning of a new phase for Earth Hour to “go beyond the hour” – encouraging people to capture, share and inspire environmental conversation and action year-round.
Earth Hour is a global initiative that invites individuals, businesses, governments and communities to turn off their lights for one hour – 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 – to show support for environmentally sustainable action. In the United States, Earth Hour is partnering with the Girl Scouts to bring the movement to life.
“Our organizations have a common purpose – to create a better environment for future generations,” said Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director Andy Ridley. “Girl Scouts make a tangible difference in their communities. The support of such a respected organization helps us contribute to the environmental education of young people and spread this global movement across generations and geographies.”
Initially a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, Earth Hour has become a global movement in which hundreds of millions of people from every continent join together to acknowledge the importance of protecting and improving the planet. Earth Hour 2010 was the world’s largest global climate change initiative, with millions of participants in more than 4,600 cities across nearly 130 countries and territories. Since its inception in 2007, Earth Hour’s iconic “lights out” event has seen some of the world’s most recognized landmarks switch off their lights, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Buckingham Palace in London, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and the Forbidden City in China.
This year, nearly 20 Girl Scout Councils from across the country will be organizing Earth Hour activities:
• Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
• Girl Scouts of Citrus Council (Florida)
• Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle
• Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
• Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida
• Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Colorado
• Girl Scouts of Connecticut
• Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
• Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
• Girl Scouts of Hawai’i
• Girl Scouts of Louisiana East
• Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland
• Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
• Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council
• Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
• Girl Scouts of Utah
– more –
Earth Hour and Girl Scouts Team Up to Honor the Planet Page 2
"Our girls care deeply about the environment, and this partnership gives them a simple way to share this passion with their friends, families and communities," said Kathy Cloninger, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. “It’s important that we all do our part to protect the environment.”
Thousands of Girl Scouts across the country will be participating in community activities to support Earth Hour on March 26. Examples of projects include:
• The Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle is encouraging people to lower energy use by replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). More than 400 girls have distributed 3,500 CFLs at cookie booths across 19 counties as part of the campaign.
• The Girl Scouts of Colorado is planning an event at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver to go dark for Earth Hour and have girls with rechargeable flashlights form the letters “GS” on the west steps. Girls are encouraging communities to install energy-saving light bulbs and are handing out bulbs to communities across the state.
In addition, many Girl Scouts are taking activities beyond the hour by installing ENERGY STAR®-qualified or other energy-efficient light bulbs in homes, schools and businesses during the month of March.
The Earth Hour collaboration is one part of the Girl Scouts’ broader commitment to environmental sustainability. Girl Scouts Forever Green (GSFG), the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Take Action Project, is a national effort of girls leading their families, schools and communities in improving the environment and protecting natural resources. The effort offers a meaningful leadership experience that makes a positive impact on the environment through three key projects: 1) using reusable water bottles and bags to reduce plastic waste; 2) planting and maintaining rain gardens at schools, homes and other sites; and 3) participation in Earth Hour events. Participants are also encouraged to take an online pledge stating their yearlong commitment to GSFG efforts. Beginning in July, all 112 Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas will be invited to participate in Girl Scouts Forever Green.
“The Girl Scouts Forever Green project is a great example of how organizations can take Earth Hour beyond the hour and make a positive difference for the future of the planet,” Ridley added.
There currently are only 24 days until Earth Hour 2011, which asks the world to:
• Switch off lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26, and celebrate a commitment to the planet with the people of the world;
• Sign up and share stories of actions that benefit the planet on www.earthhour.org; and
• Sustain environmentally focused actions beyond the hour and share your act with the world at www.earthhour.org/beyondthehour.
For more information, visit www.earthhour.org or www.girlscouts.org/forevergreen.
– more –
Earth Hour and Girl Scouts Team Up to Honor the Planet Page 3
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 p.m. to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people 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 Girl Scouts Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org. For more information on It's Your Planet, Love it visit www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_planet.
###
Media Contacts:
Josh Ackley
Girl Scouts of the USA
Phone: (212) 852-8038
jackley@girlscouts.org
Chelsey Watts
Fleishman-Hillard
Phone: (314) 982-7705
Chelsey.watts@fleishman.com
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Scotland gets into the spirit of Earth Hour
Scotland raises a glass to WWF's Earth Hour 2011
Scotland is really set to get into the 'spirit' of WWF's Earth Hour this year, said WWF Scotland, with the makers of the nation's national drink announcing their support for the charity's annual global event to highlight people and wildlife threatened by climate change
The Scotch Whisky Association, whose members account for more than 90 per cent of Scotch Whisky production, is encouraging whisky drinkers and distillers to join the global switching off - set for 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March. [1]
One distillery already supporting the initiative is Deanston at Doune. [2] This hydro-powered distillery uses traditional methods and only Scottish barley to produce its distinctive whisky.
Last year millions of people in 128 countries worldwide took part in WWF's Earth Hour. Some of world's most recognisable landmarks went dark including Edinburgh Castle, the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Giza.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:
"It is great to see a product so identifiable with Scotland getting into the 'spirit' of WWF's Earth Hour. Receiving the backing of our national drink will help put Scotland on the global Earth Hour map. We are working hard to make this year's switch off the biggest and best yet and we are encouraging everyone, from large businesses to individuals to take part.
"WWF's Earth Hour is one simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. However, we also hope it will inspire people to think what they can do beyond the Hour to tackle climate change at home, in their work place and in their community."
Callum Fraser of Deanston Distillery said:
"We are delighted to show our support for Earth Hour and work in association with WWF Scotland to raise awareness of such a worthwhile cause. As a global industry, it is important that we do our bit all year round, not just for one day a year. Deanston has been generating its own hydro electric power source since 1966. The excess is sold back to the National Grid - enough to power a small village with around 400 homes - so you could say we know a thing or two about being eco-friendly."
Morag Garden, Environmental Affairs Manager at the Scotch Whisky Association said:
"We are delighted to support Earth Hour for the second year in a row. Whisky distillers continue to invest and work hard to improve energy efficiency, move to non-fossil fuel energy sources, and implement an ambitious environment strategy. "
ends
Editor's notes
[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 4000 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 one hundred 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.
[2] Deanston was originally founded as a cotton mill in the 18th century and, after 180 years in operation, was transformed into a distillery in 1966. At one time, the mill was powered by four massive waterwheels which were driven by the fast-flowing River Teith. The waterwheels were eventually replaced by efficient turbines and today they provide the distillery with its own unique hydro electric power source. These turbines create over four times the distillery energy requirements and the excess is sold back to the National Grid to power local homes and businesses - it seems the idea of being eco-friendly is not a new phenomenon at Deanston distillery. All elements of Deanston packaging are recyclable and the labels and tubes are made from recycled paper stock. Despite using modern technology for power, Deanston remains a very traditional distillery relying on a team of fourteen craftsmen rather than technology to ensure perfection in every drop. http://www.burnstewartdistillers.com/home
[3] Scotch Whisky Association
http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/swa/CCC_FirstPage.jsp
For further information, please contact WWF:
Mandy Carter, t: 01350 728200, m: 07771 818 677, e: mcarter@wwfscotland.org.uk
**PRINT QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHS OF DEANSTON DISTILLERY SUPPORTING WWF'S EARTH HOUR WILL BE SENT DIRECT TO PICTURE DESKS BY MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY, ANY PROBLEMS CONTACT 07771 818 677**
Monday, February 28, 2011
It's "Perth Hour" as Scotland, Australia and Canada link up to switch off for WWF's Earth Hour
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
On Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm buildings and landmarks in Perth 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 activties 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, Namoi 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."
___________________________________________________________________
[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 4000 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 one hundred 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.
‘Perth Hour’ as Scotland, Australia and Canada all switch off
‘Perth Hour’ will make it’s debut this year alongside the inaugural WWF Earth Hour Awards, as the sister cities of Perth Australia, Scotland and Canada all switch off their lights and pledge to do more “beyond the hour” in a bid to save the planet.
With Earth Hour 2011 fast approaching on Saturday, March 26, at 8.30pm, Awards nominations will close on Sunday, March 6. Nominations can be made online at www.earthhour.org.au
Anyone can take part in the Earth Hour Awards, with five categories drawing on different ways people might take action. A People’s Choice Award will be drawn from the pool of finalists.
Last year’s Earth Hour was celebrated in 4,616 cities and towns in 128 countries and territories, as part of a global movement to inspire people to live more sustainably.
A record number of cities, towns, homes, office buildings, iconic landmarks and public spaces around the world are expected to switch off their lights for one hour as part of the fifth anniversary of Earth Hour, which was first launched by WWF-Australia in Sydney in 2007.
This year, WWF is asking people around the world to go “beyond the hour” and take action to make their lives more sustainable.
“Individuals, towns and cities form the backbone of Earth Hour,” said Andy Ridley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Earth Hour. “City mayors have been among our strongest supporters and continue to play an important role in engaging their communities to take positive action.
“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.”
In a unique link-up, Perth in Western Australia will coordinate with Perth in Scotland to switch off the lights at their respective concert halls, while Perth in Canada will turn off its Town Hall lights.
Other landmarks along WA’s Perth city skyline will also be dimmed, including the Bell Tower, Kings Park, the Narrows Bridge decorative lights, and Council House, which is also planning a colourful LED light message after the event urging residents to save energy “beyond the hour”.
“Perth has often been called the City of Light, but turning off our lights for 60 minutes will send out a message that we need to change our ways when it comes to conserving energy,” said WA’s Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, a committed supporter of Earth Hour since its inception.
“We cannot be in a state of denial about the real impact of climate change. But it goes beyond turning our lights off on one evening – we can all find ways of reducing the impact we are having on the planet.”
WWF-Australia chief executive Dermot O’Gorman said he was proud to be part of a global event originally conceived in Australia.
“The phenomenal thing about Earth Hour is the changes it has inspired people to make in their everyday lives,” Mr O’Gorman said. “It is not about one hour of darkness; it is about a lifetime of sustainability. We know that to create a sustainable planet, we all need to play our small part.
“Australians continue to show leadership on this important issue, therefore we look forward to seeing some of Australia’s best examples of people going beyond the hour.”
Cities can register their participation in the iconic ‘lights out’ event by visiting www.earthhour.org or emailing contact@earthhour.org if interested in becoming an official Earth Hour organiser.
________________________________________________________________
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, when 2 million people 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 respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’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.
Notes to editors
Earth Hour 2011 will take place at 8.30pm (various local times), Saturday, 26 March, 2011.
A special Earth Hour ‘60+’ logo reflecting the call to go ‘beyond the hour’ in 2011 can be obtained in hi-res at the following link: http://www.divshare.com/direct/13222108-5e9.zip
Interviews:
To interview Andy Ridley, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Earth Hour, please contact:
Jaya Myler, Earth Hour Global, 0422 202 881, jaya@earthhour.org
Media Contacts:
WWF-Australia Media Officer (NSW) Jonathon Larkin, 0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au
WWF-Australia Media Officer (WA) Cortlan Bennett, 0404 700 001, cbennett@wwf.org.au
SCOTTISH COUNTDOWN BEGINS TOWARD WWF’S EARTH HOUR
RECORD PARTICIPATION FORECAST AS 100% OF COUNCILS LEND SUPPORT
With only a month to go, Scotland’s participation in WWF’s annual global Earth Hour initiative looks set to break all records this year, it was announced today (Friday 25 February).
On Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm buildings across 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.
To mark the official countdown, WWF Scotland today revealed that alongside support from the Scottish Government, hundreds of schools, businesses and iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and Falkirk Wheel that – for the first time ever - every one of Scotland’s 32 local authorities had committed to supporting the global event.
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.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:
“We are well on track to make Scotland’s Earth Hour the biggest and best ever thanks to the support of the Scottish Government and all our local authorities.
“While the world still waits for nations to agree a new legally binding agreement to reduce global climate emissions, we must all continue to encourage more local action to reduce pollution.
“Earth Hour is a fun and simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. 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 event has the support of the Scottish Government, Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP said:
“The Scottish Government is delighted to back WWF's Earth Hour.
"Our world-leading Climate Change Act with its target to cut emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 is challenging but achievable and in doing so we will create a cleaner, greener Scotland with a thriving low carbon economy. We are committed to leading by example and to encouraging others to do the same.
"Every person in Scotland typically contributes twice the global average in terms of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of our everyday behaviour. Small changes in our daily lives will not only help reduce emissions but can also contribute towards a healthier lifestyle, improve our environment and offer real financial savings.
"WWF's Earth Hour provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to tackling climate change in a simple yet effective way.”
Meteorologist and former weather presenter Heather Reid is lending her support to WWF's Earth Hour, she said:
“I'm delighted to be supporting WWF's Earth Hour and would encourage as many people as possible to sign up and take part. It's a simple way to send a strong, visual message to decision makers that people care about the impacts of climate change. This year we are asking people to think about what they can do beyond the Hour, this may include walking your children to school rather than taking them by car, or setting up a car-share with work colleagues. Little changes to our day to day routines can make a big difference to our environment."
**FREE PRINT QUALITY PHOTOS OF HEATHER ‘THE WEATHER’ REID FORECASTING RECORD SUPPORT FOR WWF’S EARTH HOUR AVAILABLE AThttp://www.divshare.com/gallery/837510-dff **
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Editors
[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 4000 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 one hundred 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.
[2] Photographs of Heather Reid supporting WWF’s Earth Hour available here
For further information, please contact:
Mandy Carter, tel:01350 728226, email: mcarter@wwfscotland.org.uk
Brazilian Mayors Organisation to take part in Earth Hour
The third edition of the movement calling on Brazilians to take part in this huge clamour for a more sustainable way of life will take place on March 26 at 08:30 pm.
Once again Brazil is getting ready for large-scale participation in WWF-Network’s Earth Hour event in which people around the world switch off their lights for 60 minutes in the world’s biggest single mobilisation against global warming. WWF-Brazil will be running the third national edition of the event on March 26 at 8:30 pm.
This Tuesday’s (22) adherence of the Brazilian Mayors Organisation (Frente Nacional de Prefeitos-FNP) to the Earth Hour movement is a great achievement. “It is a tremendous gain in terms of multiplying the initiative among the municipalities. The idea is for Brazil to participate in an intense and creative manner that will put it in a leading position in this worldwide movement”, enthuses WWF-Brazil´s Earth Hour director Regina Cavini.
“It is in the municipalities that people’s daily lives take place. It is essential to take advantage of the power the mayors and municipal authorities have to mobilise and engage their populations. When we manage to get the mobilisation down to the municipal sphere it is reflected in the form of effective changes in society’s behaviour. We are expecting at least 10% of Brazilian municipalities to officially participate in the movement”, declared João Coser, mayor of Vitória (capital of Espirito Santo state) and president of the FNP during the signing ceremony of adherence to the Earth Hour initiative.
The FNP embraces all political parties and brings together around 400 mayors from the City halls of large and medium sized cities and the big metropolitan regions, among which are 26 State Capitals and 11 cities with over a hundred thousand inhabitants, that is, 40% of the entire Brazilian population.
In 2010, Brazilians in 98 cities, including 20 state capitals, switched off their lights to show their concern about the global warming. National icons like the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the famous Cable-stayed Bridge in São Paulo, the National Congress Building and the Amazonas Theatre were all kept in darkness for sixty minutes.
Mobilisation for Earth Hour 2011 has already begun. The site www.horadoplaneta.org.br is already online to provide citizens, companies and organisations with information, and receive comments and suggestions. The advertising agency ‘141 Soho Square’, has developed this years publicity campaign this year producing material to be run in the printed media, and on TV, radio and the internet. “The campaign uses simple language that will find resonance in all spheres of society “, explains 141 Soho Square CEO Mauro Motorin.
The 60+ Platform
Earth Hour continues to gather force as more and more people take on responsibility for demonstrating that it is feasible to confront the threats posed by climate change by means of collective actions. To ensure that the Earth Hour ideals make themselves felt on every day of the year, WWF-Brazil is launching a platform called “60+”, a mobilisation tool designed to involve people in concrete actions that lead them to change their daily habits. This year the “60+” campaign will be focussing on the question of recycling. The idea is to inform and influence Brazilians in regard to the importance of separating and recycling waste and to involve governments, companies and society at large.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a WWF Network global initiative to address climate change. Since it was first run in 2007 the Earth Hour movement has never stopped growing. What began as an isolated event in a single city (Sidney, Australia), has now become a global action involving hundreds of millions of people in more than 4,400 cities and 128 countries.
The first time the event took place, 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008 more than 50 million people around the world took part. In 2009 when WWF-Brazil ran the Earth Hour event in Brazil for the first time, almost 1 billion people on the planet switched off their lights. Some of the world’s most famous monuments like the pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis in Athens and even the city of Las Vegas were kept in darkness for sixty minutes.
About WWF-Brazil
WWF-Brazil is a Brazilian non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of nature aiming to harmonize human activity with biodiversity conservation and to promote the rational use of natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. WWF-Brazil was created in 1996 in Brasilia and has several projects all over the country and is part of the International Network Environmental Organization WWF, which works in more than 100 countries and counts on the support of around 5 million people worldwide, including associates and volunteers.
WWF-Brasil Press Services:
Maristela Pessoa: + 55 (61)3364-7464 - maristela@wwf.org.br
Denise Oliveira: Head of Comms: + 55 (61) 3364.7497 – doliveira@wwf.org.br
www.wwf.org.br
Once again Brazil is getting ready for large-scale participation in WWF-Network’s Earth Hour event in which people around the world switch off their lights for 60 minutes in the world’s biggest single mobilisation against global warming. WWF-Brazil will be running the third national edition of the event on March 26 at 8:30 pm.
This Tuesday’s (22) adherence of the Brazilian Mayors Organisation (Frente Nacional de Prefeitos-FNP) to the Earth Hour movement is a great achievement. “It is a tremendous gain in terms of multiplying the initiative among the municipalities. The idea is for Brazil to participate in an intense and creative manner that will put it in a leading position in this worldwide movement”, enthuses WWF-Brazil´s Earth Hour director Regina Cavini.
“It is in the municipalities that people’s daily lives take place. It is essential to take advantage of the power the mayors and municipal authorities have to mobilise and engage their populations. When we manage to get the mobilisation down to the municipal sphere it is reflected in the form of effective changes in society’s behaviour. We are expecting at least 10% of Brazilian municipalities to officially participate in the movement”, declared João Coser, mayor of Vitória (capital of Espirito Santo state) and president of the FNP during the signing ceremony of adherence to the Earth Hour initiative.
The FNP embraces all political parties and brings together around 400 mayors from the City halls of large and medium sized cities and the big metropolitan regions, among which are 26 State Capitals and 11 cities with over a hundred thousand inhabitants, that is, 40% of the entire Brazilian population.
In 2010, Brazilians in 98 cities, including 20 state capitals, switched off their lights to show their concern about the global warming. National icons like the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the famous Cable-stayed Bridge in São Paulo, the National Congress Building and the Amazonas Theatre were all kept in darkness for sixty minutes.
Mobilisation for Earth Hour 2011 has already begun. The site www.horadoplaneta.org.br is already online to provide citizens, companies and organisations with information, and receive comments and suggestions. The advertising agency ‘141 Soho Square’, has developed this years publicity campaign this year producing material to be run in the printed media, and on TV, radio and the internet. “The campaign uses simple language that will find resonance in all spheres of society “, explains 141 Soho Square CEO Mauro Motorin.
The 60+ Platform
Earth Hour continues to gather force as more and more people take on responsibility for demonstrating that it is feasible to confront the threats posed by climate change by means of collective actions. To ensure that the Earth Hour ideals make themselves felt on every day of the year, WWF-Brazil is launching a platform called “60+”, a mobilisation tool designed to involve people in concrete actions that lead them to change their daily habits. This year the “60+” campaign will be focussing on the question of recycling. The idea is to inform and influence Brazilians in regard to the importance of separating and recycling waste and to involve governments, companies and society at large.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a WWF Network global initiative to address climate change. Since it was first run in 2007 the Earth Hour movement has never stopped growing. What began as an isolated event in a single city (Sidney, Australia), has now become a global action involving hundreds of millions of people in more than 4,400 cities and 128 countries.
The first time the event took place, 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008 more than 50 million people around the world took part. In 2009 when WWF-Brazil ran the Earth Hour event in Brazil for the first time, almost 1 billion people on the planet switched off their lights. Some of the world’s most famous monuments like the pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis in Athens and even the city of Las Vegas were kept in darkness for sixty minutes.
About WWF-Brazil
WWF-Brazil is a Brazilian non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of nature aiming to harmonize human activity with biodiversity conservation and to promote the rational use of natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. WWF-Brazil was created in 1996 in Brasilia and has several projects all over the country and is part of the International Network Environmental Organization WWF, which works in more than 100 countries and counts on the support of around 5 million people worldwide, including associates and volunteers.
WWF-Brasil Press Services:
Maristela Pessoa: + 55 (61)3364-7464 - maristela@wwf.org.br
Denise Oliveira: Head of Comms: + 55 (61) 3364.7497 – doliveira@wwf.org.br
www.wwf.org.br
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)