Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood has backed WWF’s Earth Hour and urged people, schools and business in the South Wales Central area to take part in the big switch off.
By turning off their lights off for one hour on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm they will join millions of others across the globe in a graphic illustration to decision makers that they support urgent action on climate change.
In 2009, millions of individuals in 4,088 towns and cities from over 80 countries took part in Earth Hour – to demonstrate their concern about climate change and the future of our planet to world leaders. 800 iconic landmarks around the world switched off their lights for one hour and transformed the global skyline in a dramatic call for action.
Last year in Wales nearly 70 per cent of all local authorities signed up for the switch-off together with more than a 100 schools, and iconic landmarks such as Wales’ Millennium Stadium, Caernarfon Castle and the National Library for Wales in Aberystwyth.
A total of 200 buildings across the UK including Big Ben, Edinburgh Castle and Stormont went dark for WWF’s Earth Hour too. Families embarked on nature trails in the dark and one couple even got married in darkness. Diners enjoyed candlelit dinners around the globe whilst watching as major landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Pyramids of Giza and the Empire State Building turned out their lights.
Leanne, who is Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Sustainability, said: “Climate change is arguably the single biggest threat faced by Governments across the world. Failing to take action on carbon emissions is simply not an option if we are to preserve this planet for our generation and those that follow.
“I would urge everyone to take part in this simple demonstration to show how much they care about the environment.”
Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru, said: “WWF’s Earth Hour is an inspiring opportunity for people to do something positive to help tackle climate change.
“Last year’s Earth Hour was the biggest ever climate change event. By making it even bigger this year, we can all send a strong message to world leaders that people around the globe are united in calling for decisive action on climate change.”
WWF’s Earth Hour: Saturday 27 March 2010, 8.30pm. www.wwf.org.uk/earthhourwales
