Lights out at 8:30? Flintshire support for this years ‘Earth Hour’

Millions will celebrate Earth Hour today in a wave of ‘switch-offs’ that will slowly sweep across the globe making its way to us in the UK for 8.30pm tonight!

Hundreds of landmarks are signed up across the country, including: Big Ben and Houses of Parliament; Buckingham Palace; St Paul’s Cathedral; Tower Bridge; The OXO Tower; the National Gallery; The Ritz London; Manchester United Football Club; Windsor Castle; Sheffield United; Brighton Pier; Edinburgh Castle; The Kelpies; Caerphilly Castle; Cardiff City Hall; The Blackpool Tower;

WWF’s Earth Hour is a global annual event where hundreds of millions of people switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about our planet.

It happens every year between 8.30 and 9.30pm, with switch offs starting in Samoa and finishing in Tahiti.

It’s been growing every year, with more and more countries and people signing up – last year hit an all-time record with 162 countries taking part!

“Climate change is a people problem. People cause climate change and people suffer from climate change. People can also solve climate change.” – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Flintshire County Council Supports Earth Hour

Across Flintshire, local businesses, organisations, families and individuals are being encouraged to get involved and take action against climate change, and to take steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Flintshire residents are also being encouraged to vote with their light switches today in a show of support for international action on climate change.

Cllr Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader for the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“Earth Hour is a fantastic global event. The Council has already taken a number of steps to reduce our own carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency and installing renewable heating and electricity generation systems on our own buildings and housing. Over 40 Council employees volunteer as Environmental Champions – advising colleagues about saving energy, reducing waste, and living and working sustainably. We’ve helped households across the County to save over £175,000 annually through improvements installed over the past year and saved over 20,000 lifetime tonnes of carbon from homes. Flintshire County Council is committed to making further reductions in carbon emissions and supporting initiatives in the county which enable community groups, businesses and organisations to do the same.”

Deeside MP Supports Earth Hour

Mark Tami lends his support the Earth Hour; WWF-UK is challenging business and the government to commit to responsible trade in wood and paper to help end deforestation around the world. Deforestation is having a devastating effect on the world’s last remaining natural forests, for example, in Indonesia, Central Africa and Far East Russia. The world has lost nearly half its forests, and only a tenth of what remains is protected

Mark Tami Member of Parliament for Alyn and Deeside has pledged his support to this years Earth Hour, highlighting the importance of protecting the world’s forests.

Mark Tami MP said, ‘It is great that millions of people around the world come together for an hour by turn off their lights and I would encourage as many people as possible in Alyn & Deeside to take part.’

To find out more and register to take part go to: wwf.org.uk/earthhour and join millions of people who are signing up to the big switch off.