Highland Council signs up for WWF’s Earth Hour
The Highland Council is supporting the WWF’s Earth Hour 2010 and on Saturday 27 March will be joining million of people across the globe by switching off lights to seven prominent landmarks for an hour in a demonstration of support for people and wildlife threatened by climate change.
From 8.30pm to 9.30pm the floodlighting to Inverness Castle, the Cathedral, Ness Bridge, the Hector Macdonald Monument in Dingwall, the Ross Institute in Halkirk and the Thomas Telford Bridge in Helmsdale will be switched off, while in Lochaber every second lighting column along the Caol to Kilmallie Road will be turned off.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said: “It is great news The Highland Council has given its backing to WWF’s Earth Hour 2010. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with communities from around the world joining together again in a dramatic hour of action on climate change.
“After world leaders failed to agree a strong new international climate deal in Copenhagen it is more important than ever that Governments act urgently to set out a clear timetable for when a legally binding agreement will be reached. In the mean time we need to encourage more local action to reduce emissions.
“WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. The Highland Council’s decision to join WWF’s Earth Hour highlights their commitment to this issue and demonstrates to others around the world that Scotland continues to take action the address climate change.”
Councillor Michael Foxley, Chair of the Climate Change Working Group said: “The Council has a vital role to play as an employer, service provider, community leader and signatory to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration in tackling climate change. I am very pleased The Highland Council is taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour. It is not only very symbolic but also a key opportunity for organisations and individuals across the world to band together to show they are thinking globally and acting locally.”
WWF’s Earth Hour lights-out initiative began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as an awareness raising exercise. Last year 3,000 cities and towns in more than 80 countries got involved. Iconic landmarks that went dark included the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramids of Giz as well as Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, the Forth Bridge and Eilean Donan Castle.
WWF Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, an alliance of development, environment and civil society groups aiming for tougher action to reduce emissions. www.stopclimatechaosscotland.org