Bangkok, Dublin and San Francisco join Earth Hour

Eight new cities join the fight against climate change

February 20, 2008 - Twenty four international cities will take part in WWF’s Earth Hour climate change campaign this year after another eight metropolitan centers joined the movement this week.

Atlanta, San Francisco, Phoenix, Bangkok, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal and Dublin all pledged this week to join Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, Manila, Suva, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Toronto and Christchurch for Earth Hour on Saturday March 29, at 8pm local time.

Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and become more energy efficient.

In a world first last year, 2.2 million Sydney residents turned off lights and appliances for one hour as a step towards reducing the city’s greenhouse gas pollution. This year, that number is set to reach the tens of millions with some of the world’s most recognisable icons going dark in a collective stand against climate change.

Andy Ridley, Executive Director of Earth Hour, said the response to round two of Earth Hour had been hugely positive.

“Last year we were incredibly excited that more than two million people in Sydney took part in Earth Hour. If we see the same participation levels around the globe that we did in Sydney, then we can anticipate more than 30 million people involved.

“Even though the response has been overwhelming, we’re still hopeful that more cities will come on board and take up the challenge. Climate change is a truly global issue and people around the world are demanding action. We’re delighted there has been so much interest from major cities around the world,” Mr Ridley said.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Bourke said, "Earth Hour is an international campaign and Dublin is one of the latest cities to get behind this important event where on March 29 all non- essential lights will be switched off for an hour. 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.”

Climate change is the most significant threat to life on Earth, with some of the world’s most
recognisable natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Antarctica, and the Amazon rainforest threatened by rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

WWF is urging people and communities all around the world to help make Earth Hour 2008 a success by switching off lights and non-essential appliances for one hour between 8pm and 9pm on March 29.

For more information on Earth Hour, to pledge your support or find out how you can get Earth Hour happening in your city, go to www.earthhour.org

For more information contact:
Kath Eggleston, WWF-Australia Press Office
T: +61 2 8202 1294 / 0408 408 562
E: keggleston@wwf.org.au

About WWF
WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. It has close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. This is achieved by working on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, using the best possible science to advocate change and effective conservation policy.

Leo Burnett Sydney
Award winning agency, Leo Burnett is WWF's partner in the Earth Hour initiative. The agency, in collaboration with WWF, has created the Earth Hour identity and logo and a dedicated holistic communications campaign, designed to harness the power of TV, radio, print and interactive.