IN SUPPORT of WWF’s Earth Hour, Ceredigion County Council is joining the global celebration of our brilliant home planet. Earth Hour will see a spectacular and symbolic lights-out event in a bid to focus the world’s attention on our planet and the need to protect it.
On Saturday (Mar 19) at 8.30pm-9.30pm local time, the Council will be joining forces with thousands of iconic landmarks across the world, from The Sydney Harbour Bridge to Times Square in New York, as the partake in the blackout to show their support for the cause.
Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Carbon Management said: “Ceredigion County Council has taken an active part in Earth Hour for several years now and was amongst the first local authorities in Wales to do so.
“We think it’s important that councils set an example and taking part fits well with our continued commitment to saving energy and investing in renewable energy which, as well as reducing carbon emissions by 13.3% in the last three and a half years, has also saved the council £846,500 a year in cumulative savings.”
Earth Hour’s unique display of an natural/unnatural darkness has in itself become a global spectacle, with hundreds of millions of individuals coming together for the ‘switch off’ each year.
In Wales last year, an estimated 500,000 people took part in the worldwide black-out, sending out a united message of support.
Welsh landmarks which participated in Earth Hour included the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, Caernarfon Castle and The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
235 different Welsh schools signed up to the event last year, and Assembly Members from all parties showed their support and enthusiasm. More Welsh local authorities supported Earth Hour than ever before last year, and the WWF are hoping that this year will be even bigger.
Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru, added: “We’re delighted that Ceredigion County Council will be supporting Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved.
“Climate change will have a massive impact on people, wildlife and habitats across the world, and we need to take action to protect them. By taking one simple step to switch off, you’ll be joining millions of people from around the world in this special celebration.”
To celebrate Earth Hour 2016, wherever possible, all of Ceredigion County Council’s lighting will be turned off during the hours of darkness.
However, a select few Ceredigion sites such as Constitution Hill in Aberystwyth and Minaeron in Aberaeron will be illuminated for the rest of the night following Earth Hour.
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