Climate action: Scottish Government, Councils and trade unions pledge support for WWF's Earth Hour
10 December 2009
The Scottish Government today (Thursday 10 December) pledged its support for WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest climate change awareness event, which will take place on Saturday 27 March 2010.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Climate Change, announced the Government’s support for the event during today’s climate debate in the Scottish Parliament.
COSLA and the STUC also announced their support for WWF’s Earth Hour today calling on the hundreds of thousands of individuals and members they represent to take part next year and show the world they care about climate change.
Last year nearly 3,000 cities and towns in more than 80 countries took part by switching their lights off for one hour in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change. Lights went out in 66 national capitals and 9 of the 10 most populated metropolises on the planet. 100 cities and towns in the UK also participated including Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Over 800 of the world’s most iconic landmarks also went dark including Edinburgh Castle, Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Giza and the Empire State Building. In all around a billion people took part, making Earth Hour 2009 the biggest climate change event ever.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:
“WWF’s Earth Hour captures the public’s imagination and it is great that the Scottish Government, local authorities and trade unions are pleging their support for the event next March. With so many buildings and landmarks going dark dueing this year’s event, Scottish politicians were left in no doubt that people demanded a strong Climate Change Act. The Scottish Parliament delivered with the toughest emission targets in the world. With vital climate talks taking place in Copenhagen, other countries now need to step up and follow Scotland’s lead. Whatever the outcome in Copenhagen, WWF's Earth 2010 needs to be even bigger. We must ensure world leaders know people still demand strong action on climate change.”
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Climate Change, said:
“As the world’s focus turns on Copenhagen in the hope of a successful outcome to the Climate Change summit talks, the Scottish Government is once again pledging its support to WWF’s Earth Hour. As in previous years, we will join millions across the globe in switching off their lights for 60 minutes in a graphic demonstration of support for international action on climate change. However, in 2010, this message will carry even more significance as we hope it will take place against a backdrop of the world’s nations agreeing collectively to tackle climate change. The Scottish Government has already taken the lead with our ambitious legislation to cut emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and we are continuing to demonstrate that leadership to world leaders by attending the UN summit, where our strong example can inspire other nations to equally ambitious action.”
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
“As the world awaits the outcome of the Copenhagen summit, the STUC is calling on Scotland’s 655,000 trade union members to support WWF’s Earth Hour 2010. It is essential that Governments at home and around the world receive a strong, united message that workers and citizens will no longer tolerate inaction on climate change. The STUC applauds this important initiative and looks forward to working with WWF, other civic partners and the Scottish and UK Governments to ensure that the transition to the low carbon economy we all desire is as fair and just as possible”.
A COSLA spokesperson said:
“We recognise the symbolic nature of the Earth Hour, with its importance in capturing the public's imagination and engagement in climate change activity. COSLA is aware of the increasing interest amongst councils in taking part. We urge all leaders and influencers of opinion to consider how they can support this, as part of their wider programmes to reduce their own greenhouse gases.”
Notes to Editors
[1] For more information about WWF’s Earth Hour http://www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour
In 2009 in Scotland, 19 local authorities, 200 schools and over one hundred businesses and organisations took part by switching their lights off for one hour in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change. Some of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks also went dark including Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Bridge, Eilean Donan Castle, Inverness Castle, Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Glasgow's Clyde Arc (Squinty bridge) and Armadillo, the Falkirk Wheel, RRS Discovery in Dundee and the Scottish Parliament.
[2] Dr Sam Gardner and Dr Richard Dixon are in Copenhagen and available for interview. Keep up to date with what is happening during the UN Climate Change Talks in Copenhagen by checking out our WWF Scotland Diary http://www.scotsman.com/copenhagen-climate-summit-blog
[3] WWF Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos, an alliance of development, environment and civil society groups aiming for tougher action to reduce emissions - http://stopclimatechaosscotland.org
