Earth Hour Live

Tonight, millions of people are joining together, and turning off their lights to help make a difference and raise awareness about the issue of global warming. See how the world is taking part, with these live news feeds and images from participating cities. Don't forget to share your Earth Hour moments too. Remember - turn off your lights!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

50 stars shine bright in support of Earth Hour

17 March 2008 - SYDNEY: Stars will shine brightly at 8pm on March 29, 2008 both in the sky and through an impressive line-up of celebrity star power coming together to support Earth Hour. Australia’s biggest climate change initiative, Earth Hour, is now a global event, and will take place across 24 international cities this year.

Australian and international personalities from all walks of life will be switching off their lights for an hour in the hope of raising awareness to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become more energy efficient.

“Celebrities can carry a message to a mass audience. Earth Hour’s message is that everyone needs to take responsibility to address climate change. So whether you are Silverchair, an accountant, a father, a politician, or a CEO, Earth Hour is something you can take part in. There are some amazing people supporting Earth Hour and its heart-warming to have support from all corners of the globe,” said Andy Ridley, Earth Hour Director.

Cathy Freeman features in an Earth Hour Community Service Announcement for TV and is joined by some of Australia’s most recognisable icons in supporting Earth Hour’s mission. Australian and international musicians, actors, media personalities, fashion designers and sporting figures are pledging their commitment to this campaign. The supporters represent a list of Australia’s ‘who’s who,’ featuring over 50 personalities, including:

Musicians
  • Australian rock bands and musical artists Silverchair, Jimmy Barnes, Rolf Harris, Missy Higgins, Kate Cebrano, Natalie Imbruglia, Pete Murray, the Veronicas, Hanson, Katie Noonan, Ben Lee, Tex Perkins, Vanessa Amorosi and Nelly Furtado.

Actors / Directors
  • Hugh Jackman, Abbie Cornish, Deborah-Lee Furness and Isabel Lucas and artistic director, Michael Kantor, Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne.

Media personalities
  • Tracey Spicer, David Whitehill, Chris Bath and Andrew G.

Chefs
  • World-renowned chefs Luke Mangan, Kylie Kwong and Simon Bryant, Head Chef, Hilton. Adam D’Sylva, Head Chef of Pearl Restaurant and The Age Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year.

Fashion Industry
  • Fashion label Mad Cortez and Australian designers Josh Goot, Marnie Skillings, Bowie and Yeojin Bae.

Sport
  • Stirling Mortlock, Australian Rugby Union player; Shane Wakelin, Collingwood football player; Allana Slater, hailed as Australia's most successful female gymnast (dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion); Brent Staker, West Coast Eagles player; Carrie Graf, head coach of the Canberra TransACT Capitals Women's Basketball Team; NRL teams including the Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights, and A-League soccer teams the Central Coast Mariners, Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory, Queensland Roar and Sydney FC.

Radio Personalities
  • Sydney - Marty Sheargold, Fifi Box and Paul Murray (The Shebang Brekkie Host); Wil Anderson and Anthony Lehmo (Wil & Lehmo Drive Show Host). 2DAY FM - Chris Page, Kate Macm Tim Lee (Hot 30 host), Carla ‘Biggzy’ Bignasca (Hot 30 host) and Geoff Field (Kyle & Jackie O newsreader)
  • Melbourne 3MMM - Pete Helliar, Myf Warhurst and Richard Marsland (Brekkie Show). Fox Fm - Matt Tilley.
  • Perth 92.9 - Em Rusciano and Wippa aka Michael Wipfli (Brekkie Host), and Ellie Mobbs.
  • Brisbane 4MMM - Greg ‘Marto’ Martin Greg ‘Sully’ Sullivan, Ian Skippen and Sami Lukis (The Cage Brekkie Show). Brisbane B105 – Labrat, Camilla and Stav (Brekkie Host).
  • Adelaide 5MMM - Ali Carle (4MMM Brekkie Host) and Matt O'Reilly (Afternoons Announcer). SAFM - Rabbit and Alexis Savidis.
  • Perth (Mix FM) - Dean ‘Clairsy’ Clairs, Nat Foster and Shane McFarlane (The Big Couch Brekkie); Anne Marie Pring-Coupe and Ian Blackley (Workday Announcer). 92.9FM - -Em Rusciano, Wippa aka Michael Wipfli and Ellie Mobbs.

“We are amazed by the support Earth Hour is receiving from individuals across the globe, and want to encourage all members of the community to get involved in Earth Hour. Supporters are pivotal in spreading the word and engaging the community with the simple idea of turning off their lights. Climate change is an issue which affects all of us so we need to come together to meet this challenge,” said Ridley.

Jimmy Barnes, singer and Earth Hour supporter said:
"I see Earth Hour as the first step in a long journey. That step is always the hardest to take, but once we get moving, the momentum created by the hopes of the world will drive us to take giant leaps in the name of mankind. Take that step together and we will make the difference it is never too late to change for the better.”

Kate Mac, Afternoon Presenter on 2DayFM/Rate the Hits National Countdown and Earth Hour supporter said:
"This is the world we are leaving behind for our children, grand children, great grand children. There is simply no excuse for complacency when it comes to the future generations who will inherit this planet, and have no say at this stage about what action we take. It’s imperative we keep reminding people about the risks of climate change. Most people are aware it’s happening, but the remainder ignores the consequences and becomes complacent when it comes to reducing carbon emissions in day to day life. Earth Hour shows us the simple steps we can take in our everyday lives and helps us to make a difference together."

To sign up to Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.org

For more information or press photos please contact:

Kath Eggleston
WWF-Australia
T: +61 2 8202 1294
M: 0408 408 562
keggleston@wwf.org.au

Grant Griglak
WWF-Australia
T: + 61 2 8202 1264
M: 0488 225 904
ggriglak@wwf.org.au

About Earth Hour
On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal- fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses turned off their lights, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world. In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

About WWF
WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organization. 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.

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