WWF charity officials are absolutely chuffed with the response to this year’s Earth Hour, where millions of people around the world joined forces to highlight public support for action on climate change. The now an annual global event crossed all seven continents in 125 countries, with more than 4,000 cities and towns taking part, making it the biggest switch off ever. People were asked to sign up and switch off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010, and boy did they do so in great numbers!
CEO of WWF UK, David Nussbaum, said –
The largest ever number of countries, people and landmarks joined forces for Earth Hour this year. It was a visible demonstration of the enormous level of support there is around the world, for a united effort to tackle climate change,” “WWF now asks that World Leaders listen to the millions of people who took part, and finish the job they started in Copenhagen last year by creating a fair and ambitious global climate deal.
In the UK alone, landmarks that were plunged into darkness for Earth Hour included Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Number 10 Downing Street, Edinburgh Castle, Belfast City Hall and Wales Millennium Stadium. Other interesting global Earth Hour facts include –
- Google registered 56.1 million mentions of Earth Hour in the lead up 24 hours
- The island government of Tuvali asked that no vehicles should be on the road during Earth Hour
- 31 US State Governors supported Earth Hour
- Major icons in Paris went dark including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Louvre
- The Prime Minister and President of Pakistan turned off their lights for Earth Hour
Praising the event, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said –
Earth Hour is both a warning and a beacon of hope. By switching off non-essential lights for an hour, people will join a symbolic display that can inspire the change we so urgently need. As we watch the lights go out from continent to continent, let us reflect on the fragility and importance of our natural heritage and pledge to protect it for a sustainable future for all.
Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift
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