The Highland Council signs up again for WWF's Earth Hour

19th March 2012

The Highland Council is the latest Scottish local council to sign up to WWF's Earth Hour 2012. At 8.30pm on Saturday 31 March the people of Highland will join millions across the globe in switching off their lights for 60 minutes in a graphic demonstration of support for people and wildlife threatened by climate change.

The Council has participated in Earth Hour each year since it began in 2008. As a show of support, it has arranged for the floodlighting to be switched off at key landmarks including Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie, Inverness Castle, Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit, and Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie.

The Council hopes that this will make people think about the energy they use, where it comes from and the impact that has on the environment and climate change. Individuals, groups, businesses and communities are encouraged to participate.

Last year millions of people in 134 countries worldwide took part in WWF's Earth Hour. Some of world's most recognisable landmarks went dark including the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower. In Scotland almost 500 schools joined hundreds of businesses, organisations and community groups for the big switch off.

This year, WWF is encouraging community groups and local organisations to join in the fun. Ideas for celebrating Earth Hour include: star-gazing, torch-lit nature walks, candle-lit suppers or pub-quizzes and even games of golf in the dark. To register for this year's event please visit: ww.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said: "It is great news that The Highland Council has given its backing once again to WWF's Earth Hour 2012. Already it's looking to be another great year with communities up and down the country joining together with others from around the World in a dramatic hour of action on climate change. WWF's Earth Hour is a simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. We hope lots of individuals, community groups and local organisations feel inspired to take part too."

WWF's Earth Hour lights-out initiative began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as an awareness-raising exercise. By 2010 134 countries/territories participated, thousands of cities across all 7 continents, 8 out of the 10 most populated cities, 25 of the world's megacities and 79 capital cities. In 2010 Scotland also became the first country to secure support from 100 per cent of its cities and local authorities. Iconic buildings such as Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Parliament and the Falkirk Wheel switched off, alongside the Sydney Opera House, Eiffel Tower and Pyramids of Giza. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common - our planet.