Ahead of WWF's annual Earth Hour on Saturday 24 March 2018, The Highland Council is again celebrating after being awarded WWF Scotland's Earth Hour Local Authority Runner-up Award for its contribution to the success of Earth Hour in 2017.
Some of the Highland's best known landmarks, including Inverness Castle, Spey Bridge, Ruthven Barracks and Eilean Donan Castle, joined the likes of the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House in switching off for an hour last March. Globally, a record 187 countries participated.
Councillor Laurie Fraser, Provost of Nairn, congratulated staff and Highland residents for making the Earth Hour initiative so successful. He said: "Earth Hour has become a hugely significant annual event in helping to raise awareness about climate change, and about how we can all do our bit to reduce carbon emissions.
"Staff and pupils from across Highland should be immensely proud of their efforts, and this award recognises the commitment Highland has made both in addressing climate change and through its annual participation in Earth Hour. I'd like to thank WWF Scotland for once again recognising the efforts made in Highland."
He added: "For the eleventh consecutive year, the Council is calling on local people and businesses to back WWF's Earth Hour and support the global collective effort in tackling climate change. We will once again be switching off some of the most iconic landmarks in Highland, as well as organising fun events to celebrate Earth Hour. This year, we'd like to see more people take part than ever before in switching off their lights for an hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on 24th March."
Lisa Campbell, Head Teacher at Rosebank Primary in Nairn, said: “Rosebank Primary is participating in Earth Hour. The school has been looking forward to the Earth Hour assembly with WWF Earth Hour Officer, Erin Rodgers, and the children are over the moon to have been recognised for their efforts in supporting Earth Hour last year."
Erin Rodgers, Earth Hour Officer from WWF said: "It was fantastic to visit the Highlands and to congratulate The Highland Council for their terrific work in recognising Earth Hour. It's so important for local authorities to take an active role in terms of raising awareness about Earth Hour, and climate change more generally, and the Highland Council deserve their recognition for this.”
Sam Gardner, Acting Director of WWF Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to be able to recognise Highland Council for all their ongoing efforts in support of Earth Hour. This award signifies the resounding commitment of the Council to promoting environmental awareness. With one in six species threatened by climate change there has never been a more important time to act to protect our planet. Last year, The Highlands joined people from 187 countries in signing up to a record-breaking Earth Hour. We look forward to working with Highland Council again for Earth Hour 2018 on Saturday 24 March.”
To celebrate Earth Hour 2018, the Council has arranged for the floodlighting to be switched off at key landmarks. In addition, Eden Court cinema will be showing a short film on the impacts of climate change in Scotland before every screening on 24th March. High Life Highland and other organisations throughout the region will also be offering a fun range of events to mark the occasion. Further details of these and other events will be found on the Earth Hour map on the https://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour website.
To take part in WWF’s Earth Hour 2018, please register on the WWF Scotland website https://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour and make a promise in support of Earth Hour.