MPs highlight renewable energy for Earth Hour this month

WWF’s Earth Hour – Edinburgh MPs puts renewable energy ‘on the map’

Mark Lazarowicz MP and Sheila Gilmore MP have both shown their support this week for energy powered by nature, as part of the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour 2013. MPs were asked to put wind, wave, and solar power symbols on a UK weather map to symbolise the need for more renewable energy – to help protect our planet.

As the lights go out for this year’s Earth Hour, on Saturday 23rd March at 8.30pm, people will be asked to switch off their lights for an hour to show their support for energy that works with the power of nature, not against it.

Amongst the buildings going dark for 60 minutes in Edinburgh are the Castle, the Scottish Parliament building, the Forth Rail Bridge with the City Council’s Waverley Court HQ, the City Chambers, the Scott Monument, Calton Hill monuments, Burns Monument, and St John’s Church also expected to switch off their lights.

In the UK we are consuming three times our fair share of the planet’s natural resources.  Our reliance on high carbon fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas is overheating the atmosphere and affecting the climate.  The future of our planet relies on us moving away from unsustainable energy sources and on to renewable energy.

Mark said:-“WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple idea that brings together millions of people across the globe who all care about one thing – our planet. ”

Sheila Gilmore said:-“ In the UK, our energy system needs to change and I want wind, wave and solar power to be part of the future.  If we are serious about shaping a better future for generations to come, then we need to act now.”

Last year over 7 million people in the UK took part in WWF’s Earth Hour.  This unique global phenomenon encourages every corner of the globe to switch off for one hour and includes iconic landmarks such as The Houses of Parliament, the Sydney Opera House and the Taj Mahal.

Darren Shirley from WWF said: “We’ve only got one planet, so it’s vital we do everything we can to protect it.  There are important decisions to be made now and we have a choice of either a fossil fuel future or a clean green future.  Renewable energy provides an opportunity for the UK and can contribute towards economic growth and create jobs whilst protecting our planet.”

To find out more about WWF’s Earth Hour and register to take part go to: wwf.org.uk/earthhour and join millions of other people around the world.