Residents urged to support WWF Earth Hour

Earth Hour will see Number One Riverside and Rochdale Town Hall plunged into darkness as all non-essential lights are switched off for one hour

Residents and businesses being urged to support the WWF’s Earth Hour at at 8.30pm on 29 March.

By taking part in Earth Hour, residents can join forces with hundreds of millions of individuals, thousands of iconic landmarks, businesses and schools to show their support.

Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with millions of individuals coming together each year. 2013 saw a record-breaking 154 countries join the world’s biggest celebration under the stars.

Last year in the UK over 10 million people took part in Earth Hour. They joined 3,500 schools, over 280 of the country’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben and the London Eye and more than 1,200 businesses.

Rochdale Borough Council is lending its support and Earth Hour will see Number One Riverside and Rochdale Town Hall plunged into darkness as all non-essential lights are switched off for one hour.

Council leader, Councillor Colin Lambert said, “More than ever, people are aware of the impact their actions have on the planet but there is still a lot to be done. The UK currently consumes three times its fair share of the planet’s natural resources – a rate which is not sustainable.

“I am very proud that, as part of this council’s aim to be the greenest borough in the country, we are able to support WWF’s Earth Hour. Everyone can make a difference to help protect our planet and we all have a key role to play. I hope that lots of residents and businesses across the borough will join us by switching out their lights for one hour on Saturday evening.”

Shareen Brown, spokesperson for WWF-UK, said, “We’re thrilled that Rochdale Borough Council will be taking part in Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. Earth Hour is more than just an hour of darkness, it’s a chance for people to come together and send a global message about the need to protect our planet. By taking one simple step to switch off, you’ll be joining millions of people from around the world in this special celebration.”

All of the money raised will go towards WWF’s vital conservation work in the Mara, Kenya, one of the most spectacular places on Earth and home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife including lions, cheetahs and African elephants. This incredible landscape is also central to national and local economies and directly supports the livelihoods of more than one million people. WWF is helping to create a brighter future for the Mara, from helping communities address human-wildlife conflict to providing local wildlife rangers with much needed equipment and training.

Rveryone can sign up for WWF’s Earth Hour 2014. For more information and to sign up  visit www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour