Residents in Edinburgh are being urged to show their support for international action on climate change by switching off their lights for WWF’s Earth Hour 2011.
This year, WWF is hoping one billion people across the globe will turn off their lights on Saturday 26 March 2011.
For the forth year running, some of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings, such as Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument will be plunged into darkness for 60 minutes as the city marks the event.
Jenny Dawe, Council Leader, said: “Once again, we are very pleased to be marking WWF’s Earth Hour in Edinburgh. It sends a very bold visual message to the world that we all must take action to tackle climate change. I would like to encourage everyone in the city to play their part and turn off their lights to mark this global event. Last year’s switch off was a huge success and this year promises to be even better. The Council takes climate change very seriously, recognising that it must be addressed on all fronts. Modest actions can really make big differences.”
The City of Edinburgh Council will switch off the lights at City Chambers, Waverley Court, the Scott Monument, Princes Street Garden monuments including Edinburgh Castle rock, the Burns Monument, City Art Centre and Calton Hill.
Edinburgh will join in with 1,000 cities and towns around the world including
Bangkok, Toyko Dubai, Las Vegas, London, Chicago, Moscow, Sydney, Lisbon, Dublin, Paris and Warsaw.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director from WWF Scotland, said: “It is great news that the City of Edinburgh Council has given its backing to WWF’s Earth Hour 2011. 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.”
WWF’s Earth Hour is the world’s biggest public event in support of people and wildlife threatened by climate change. Last year 13 million people participated in the UK with 4000 cities and a record 1000 landmarks worldwide went dark for the hour including Eiffel Tower in Paris; Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro; Empire State Building in New York; Coliseum in Rome; Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; Sydney Opera and Las Vegas Strip
Scotland has also become the first country in the world to secure the support of 100 per cent of its cities and local authorities for Earth Hour.
Local communities are organising torch-lit walks, pub-quizes and other activities in the dark.
Many businesses will also be holding special Earth Hour events including prestigious hotels such as Edinburgh’s Caledonian, the Sheraton and the Balmoral.
Around the world 130 countries are set to take part. A new record.
For further information and to find out how you can take part visit the WWF website.
