Earth Hour Tonight 8pm - 9pm

international | environment | event notice Wednesday February 27, 2008 11:52 by PaddyK2

The world wide campaign to turn out the lights for one hour on March 29th at 8 PM has been gathering support in Ireland.

First begun in Sydney, Australia in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund as a way of raising awareness of the impact an individual can have on energy
consumption, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

The campaign has now been adopted by Adelaide, Atlanta, Bangkok, Brisbane, Canberra, Chicago, Christchurch, Copenhagen, Dublin, Manila, Melbourne, Montreal, Odense, Ottawa, Perth, Phoenix, San Francisco, Suva, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Toronto, and Vancouver.

This month Dublin joined the list, with Lord Mayor, Paddy Bourke saying “This campaign is important and everyone from citizens up to Government has
a duty to do what they can against global warming. It is up to us all to do what we can to reduce our CO2 emissions. Through one simple action, turning off our lights for an hour, we can deliver a powerful message about the need for action.”

Now John Gormley, the Minister for the Environment, has lent his support for the campaign, asking Minister Noel Ahern of the Office of Public Works to “support the local authorities’ efforts by including appropriate State properties in Earth Hour.”

The Minister has also written to ‘a number of Bodies under the aegis of the Department asking them to consider supporting this initiative.’

A combination of conservation and astronomy Non Governmental Organisations [NGO] in Ireland are supporting the campaign here to have Ireland switch off
the lights for that one hour.

Friends of the Irish Environment Director Tony Lowes said ‘This is a way in which ordinary people can make known the world-wide concern about the impact of global warming by doing something practical about our unnecessary use of power. It brings home a global message - every single light makes a statement and makes a difference.’

“There is a widespread belief that energy conservation is just a temporary phenomena and that alternative sources of power will enable us to continue just as we are. In fact, the whole of society is facing an unprecedented change in the world we live in. The longer we wait, the harder its going to be.'”

‘Earth Hour is a wake up call.'

Contact:
Tony Lowes, Director, Friends of the Irish Environment
Tel: +353 27 73131 or 087 2176316
http://www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/

Andy Ridley, Executive Director, Earth Hour, WWF
Tel: +61 2 8202 1237
http://www.earthhour.org/

Tony Lowes
087 2176316

tony@friendsoftheirishenvironment.org"tony@friendsoftheirishenvironment.org

Friends of the Irish Environment
A company limited by guarantee registered in Ireland.
Company No. 326985. Directors: Caroline Lewis, Tony Lowes.
Full mailing address: Allihies, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel & Fax: 353 (0)27 73131
Email: fie@eircom.net"admin@friendsoftheirishenvironment.net
Website: http://friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/