Go Beyond Earth Hour to Commit to Something Bigger

Greg Bourne, the man responsible for starting Earth Hour in 2007 in Australia, has seen it grow into a global phenomenon. This year on 27 March, 100 iconic landmarks in 1000 cities and towns around the world will switch off their lights, joining hundreds of millions of people showing their
commitment to the environment. Greg would like people to go beyond turning off lights and make a resolution to start something bigger. Read More

Greg Bourne, WWF-Australia CEO:

“Since the first Earth Hour in 2007, millions of Australians have taken part in this incredible event, and for good reason – it is a great way to show that you care about the planet,” said Greg Bourne.

“WWF is thrilled that Earth Hour continues to grow. Personally, I am very proud that this little event has become a global phenomenon, and this year we’re hoping that communities large and small will join us on March 27, and make a strong statement that they are both concerned about the state of our environment and committed to taking action.

“WWF knows that Earth Hour must continue to grow. This year, we’re asking people to go beyond turning off lights and make an Earth Hour resolution to start something bigger,” said Mr Bourne.

“Switching off your lights is a great first step, but your true environmental impact is much bigger than just your energy bill. Each individual’s environmental impact – or environmental footprint – is made up of things such as the food you eat, the transport and housing you choose, and the goods and services you buy.”

With just over two weeks to go before the people of the planet switch off for Earth Hour, the number of countries and regions participating in the global event has surpassed last year’s record.

People in cities and towns across Australia will join those in 91 other countries and regions around the world for Earth Hour, with Honduras the latest nation to have official Earth Hour recognition. Last year 88 countries got involved in the lights out event.

With confirmation that the Tokyo Tower in Tokyo and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin will both turn off their lights for Earth Hour, all members of the G20 are now taking part in the event.

Countries and regions involved for the first time include Madagascar, Kosovo, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Ecuador and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

WWF is thrilled that more people, businesses and organisations around the world are recognising the need and taking a lead on the issue of climate change.

Greg Bourne,CEO, WWF-Australia said, “Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of
the world’s citizens and brings together cities, communities, businesses and individuals in taking positive action on climate change.”

WWF has confirmed that there are currently over 1,100 cities and towns signed up to switch their lights off at 8.30pm on 27 March – 100 more than at the same time last year.

“Typically we see a big jump in the number of cities and towns taking part in the last few
days before the lights go out, but to see such strong support already is fantastic,” said Bourne.

“Earth Hour is an opportunity for people around the world to speak in one voice on the issue of climate change, while at the same time coming together in celebration of the one thing every single person on the planet has in common – the planet,” he said.

At 8.30pm on Saturday, March 27 nearly 100 iconic landmarks in 1,000 cities and towns around the world will switch off their lights for Earth Hour 2010, joining hundreds of millions of people showing their commitment to the environment.

Earth Hour will reach new heights this year, with the world’s three tallest buildings – the new Burj Khalifa in Dubai, CN Tower in Toronto and Taipei 101 in Taiwan – going dark for the global event.

Melbourne’s Luna Park, Rialto Tower, Arts Centre and Crown Casino; Brisbane’s Story Bridge; Adelaide’s Town Hall and Rundle Mall Lantern; The National Library and Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park will join this growing list.

World-famous sites across the US, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Mount
Rushmore and even the lights of Las Vegas, will switch off in a decisive display of climate action from one of the most significant nations on the climate landscape.

Some of the world’s great metropolises will ‘flick the switch’ on their signature landmarks, marking their dedication to sustainable development and joining their citizens in adopting low-carbon practices.

Hiroshima will become the first Japanese city to show its commitment to global climate action when the lights go out on its iconic Peace Memorial. In London, lights will dim on the world-famous London Eye as the Coca-Cola sign in Piccadilly Circus switches off.

The actions shown by cities of the world and their inhabitants are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley.

“The C40 suggests that cities are responsible for up to 75% of the world’s carbon emissions, so their role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today is absolutely vital,” Andy said.

“By turning the lights off for Earth Hour, cities are reflecting the aspirations of their citizens as a community that has resolved to take action on global warming,” he said.

As Earth Hour has grown from a one-city initiative in 2007 to a global phenomenon in 2009, renowned
icons, including the Great Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, Christ the Redeemer statue, Buckingham Palace, Beijing’s Olympic Stadium and many more world-famous landmarks have joined the global community in showing leadership on a resolution to climate change.

The recently released Earth Hour 2010 video provides a powerful and inspiring montage of the world’s most recognised landmarks contributing to the greatest display of civil action the world has ever witnessed.

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.

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and
communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 8:30
PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when
2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe
participated. In 2009, Earth Hour reached 1 billion people in 4,088 cities and towns in 88
countries making it the largest public demonstration for action on climate change ever.

Source: www.earthhour.org.au