Lights out for Earth Hour!
March 27, 2009 11:00 AM
Simon Hughes is delighted to report that the Houses of Parliament authorities have agreed to his request to participate in WWF Earth Hour on 28 March. The House authorities have announced that all non-essential lighting will be switched off for one hour on Saturday night.
On 28 March at 8.30pm (GMT) individuals, communities, businesses are being asked to turn off their lights for one hour in support of taking action against climate change. The campaign is hoping that over a billion people will sign up. WWF is encouraging Southwark Council to join the big switch off by dimming and switching off lights of civic buildings and iconic landmarks. Restaurants and bars are asked to get involved by holding candlelit dinners on the night and members of the public can also hold their own events such as lights out parties. People can sign up to support WWF's Earth Hour by visiting wwf.org.uk/earthhour or by texting Earth to 84880.
Mr Hughes wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting that the Palace of Westminster participates in the global act. In his letter, Mr Hughes said, "I believe that this single act will make a very important statement that through small individual and collective actions we can make a difference to help protect our environment."
Many iconic landmarks from around the world will switch off their lights. This includes the Forth Bridge, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town and Sydney Opera House.
The Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly have both announced their participation.
Commenting Simon Hughes said: ""I am very supportive of the WWF Earth Hour campaign. In this vital year for our economy and our environment, we all need to be part of the solution to the difficulties we face. I believe that this single act - switching off our lights for one hour - will make a very important statement that through small individual and collective actions we can make a difference to help protect our environment. I hope you will join me and a billion other people around the world on 28th March.
Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF UK, said: "We are delighted that Simon Hughes is backing WWF's Earth Hour. Negotiations for a global deal to tackle climate change are going on right now and it is essential that politicians demand the UK Government takes a strong leadership position.
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