Historic Highland Castles Go Dark For WWF’s Earth Hour
Inverness Castle and Eilean Donan Castle became the latest iconic buildings signing up to WWF’s Earth Hour, it was announced today (Monday 9 March).
At 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March the people of Inverness and Highland will join millions across the globe in switching off their lights for 60 minutes in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change. [1]
The participation of these two iconic landmarks is thanks to the support of The Highland Council, which became the latest local authority to back WWF's Earth Hour.
The number of people supporting WWF’s Earth Hour across the world is growing with citizens, businesses and public authorities in nearly 700 cities across 75 countries already committing to turning off their lights for one hour in a graphic show of support for decisive action on climate change.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:
“It is great news that Highland Council has given its backing to WWF's Earth Hour 2009. It promises to be the biggest show of support ever involving communities from around the world in a dramatic hour of action on climate change.
“2009 is a crucial year for climate change with world leaders meeting in Copenhagen in December to agree a new international climate deal that will come into force when the first phase of the Kyoto treaty expires in 2012. Closer to home, Scotland’s Climate Change Bill has the potential to lead the world, but politicians need to work together to sharpen it up. [2]
“WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. Highland Council’s decision to join WWF's Earth Hour highlights its commitment to this issue and demonstrates to others around the world that Scotland is willing to take action to address climate change."
Inverness Castle and Eilean Donan Castle join a growing list of world famous buildings which will go dark for 60 minutes, including: the Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh Castle, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, CN Tower in Toronto and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee and member of the Council’s Climate Change Working Group said:
“We fully acknowledge that we have a vital role to play as an employer, service provider, community leader and signatory Local Authority to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration in tackling climate change. WWF’s Earth Hour is a key opportunity for both organisations and individuals to demonstrate that they are thinking globally and acting locally and I am very pleased that The Highland Council is among the organisations participating in this campaign.”
The Highland Council will switch off the lights to Inverness Castle and Eilan Donan Castle on the night of the 28th March 2009, as part of WWF’s Earth hour. Individuals and schools across Highland are encouraged to take part by switching off lights at home and in the community.
- ends -