Global icons switch off for Earth Hour

Globally renowned buildings and landmarks ‘go dark’ for Earth Hour

3 March 2008 – WWF-Australia today announced a list of international iconic buildings and landmarks that will be veiled in darkness for one hour on March 29 to raise awareness of the impact of climate change.

From Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, world famous skylines will disappear for one hour - Earth Hour. Among those switching off will be the tallest building in North America, the 110 story high Sears Tower in Chicago.

To date, the list includes:

• Australia
• Sydney: Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Centrepoint Tower, Coke sign on
  William St, NSW Parliament, Town Hall, Kirribilli House, Luna Park,
  buildings facing Circular Quay, Blues Point Tower.
• Melbourne: The Arts Centre, Rialto Towers, Luna Park (St Kilda),
  Melbourne Aquarium, The Jam Factory, Federation Square, Melbourne
  Town Hall and Melbourne Zoo.
  
• Adelaide: Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Central Markets, Victoria Square
  Fountain, The Advertiser building, Hilton Adelaide.
• Brisbane: Casino, Story Bridge, City Hall, Victoria Bridge, William Jolly
  Bridge, Brisbane Square, a number of State Government parliamentary
  buildings
  
• Perth: The WACA (WA Cricket Ground)
  
• USA
• Atlanta: Coca Cola Headquarters, Georgia Aquarium-largest in the world.
  
• Chicago: Sears Tower, John Hancock Building, Soldier Field (home of
  Chicago Bears football), Boeing Headquarters Building, Merchandise
  Mart, Drake Hotel, Chicago City Hall, C N A Building, Blue Cross/Blue
  Shield Building, Chicago Theater Marquees in downtown, Hard Rock
  Cafe marquee at Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs).
  
• San Francisco: San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco
  Bay Bridge - San Francisco Town Hall and the head offices of USA IT
  partner Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, CA).
  
• Phoenix: City government buildings
  
• Canada
• Toronto: All City of Toronto Buildings, CN Tower, Ontario Science
  Centre, Ontario Place, Honest Ed’s, Toronto Eaton Centre.
  
• Ireland
• Dublin: Office of Public Works, non-essential lights of Government
  Buildings, Customs House, Dublin City buildings.
  
• Israel
• Tel Aviv: Azrieali Tower, City Hall building and all hotels.
  

Sydney, the birthplace of Earth Hour, captured the imagination of the world in 2007, when its iconic harbour purposefully plunged into darkness. A year later, more than 24 cities across the globe have followed in Sydney’s footsteps taking a stand against climate change by joining the campaign.

Andy Ridley, executive director for Earth Hour said, “Powering down a city’s skyline and some of the world’s most iconic structures and premier properties is a highly calculated and intricate process, and allowances need to be made to account for safety.

“What makes Earth Hour a unique event is that it brings together governments, business and householders who all play a part in switching off the lights. Working together, individual households alongside the world’s most magnificent iconic landmarks can make an impact in the fight against climate change,” Ridley said.

In support of Earth Hour, more than 3,500 businesses across Australia and internationally have so far signed up and will be doing their part and turning off their lights. McDonald’s Australia has committed to turning off its Golden Arches nationally. David Jones will turn off the lights in its 36 department stores. It is hoped that many more businesses get behind the initiative.

While there are 24 official cities taking part in Earth Hour, there are many more cities expected to turn off the lights all over the world, and WWF-Australia estimates that more than 30 million people will take part. To date, 58,615 people have signed up to Earth Hour but that number is set to soar.

“Last year, 2.2 million Sydneysiders took part in Earth Hour and this year we expect that figure to be in the tens of millions. We are excited by the overwhelming public support Earth Hour is receiving around the world. Earth Hour is all about people sharing responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Ridley said.

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

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.