Chicago, Copenhagen, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Toronto and others create awareness and demonstrate leadership by switching off their lights on March 29, 2008
Earth Hour is a global initiative of WWF in which cities and communities will turn out their lights to symbolise their leadership and commitment to finding solutions for climate change. Cities from across Europe, North America, Asia and Asia Pacific, including Chicago, Copenhagen, Manila, Melbourne, Sydney, Tel Aviv and Toronto were named as the flagship participants in the WWF-led event on March 29, 2008.
“On behalf of the WWF International network, I want to commend and thank the mayors and officials in our flagship cities for playing a leadership role in supporting this unique global event and demonstrating their commitment to fighting climate change,” said WWF Director General James Leape.
“During Earth Hour, governments, businesses, community leaders and individuals will be turning out their lights and switching on their support for actions that can help make a difference in the most significant challenge facing the world today ... Earth Hour reminds us that each of us can be part of the solution to climate change,” Leape said.
WWF’s inaugural Earth Hour took place in Sydney Australia in March this year with more than 2.2 million people participating in an effort that darkened icons such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and resulted in a ten per cent drop in energy usage – double what had been predicted.
“The event in Sydney created a powerful global message that it’s possible for individuals to take meaningful action on climate change – and that’s the message we now intend to take to people all around the world,” said WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne. “Reducing the world’s emissions is a shared responsibility. Each city must commit to reducing its carbon output and every single person, business and community should take it upon themselves to participate.”
“In March 2007, 2.2 million Sydneysiders began the Earth Hour journey, and now it is time to take Earth Hour to the rest of the world,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, urging her fellow mayors throughout the world to join the Earth Hour initiative. “From rural towns in the outback to highly populated iconic cities – everyone can take simple steps to make Earth Hour happen.”
“Earth Hour will send a strong signal that people all around the world are deeply concerned and expect their leaders to take action before it’s too late,” Leape said. “Climate change is a global challenge that requires global solutions and it’s clear that the people of this planet are ready to get involved and find the answers.”
LIST OF CITIES PARTICIPATING IN EARTH HOUR 2008:
Adelaide » Atlanta » Bangkok » Brisbane » Canberra » Chicago » Christchurch » Copenhagen » Dublin » Manila » Melbourne » Montreal » Odense » Ottawa » Perth » Phoenix » San Francisco » Suva » Sydney » Tel Aviv » Toronto » Vancouver »
About WWF
WWF International Network is the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.
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