Earth Hour goes big for Climate Change
23 Feb 2009
Some of Australia's favourite big icons, including the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple and the Big Merino, have signed up to go dark for Earth Hour 2009 - Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm.
These 'big' icons will join many of Australia and the world's most recognisable landmarks in switching off their lights for an hour, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Melbourne's Federation Square, Paris' Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and the world's tallest tower - the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.
WWF hopes that all of Australia's icons, big and small, as well as households and businesses will switch off the lights for Earth Hour as a vote for Earth.
"In 2009 Earth Hour aims to reach 1 billion people in over 1,000 cities worldwide creating a strong visual mandate, a vote, from people around the world to say 'we must deal with climate change," said WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne.
"To make sure the Rudd government hears our message about the need to take action, we need as many people as possible to participate," said Mr Bourne.
With just six weeks to go until Earth Hour, the following 'big' icons are signed up to go dark on March 28.
- Big Pineapple, Woombye, QLD
- Big Shell, Tewantin, QLD
- Big Gumboot, Tully, QLD
- Big Crab, Miriam Vale, QLD
- Big Penguin, Penguin, TAS
- Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Big Merino, Goulburn, NSW
- Big Wool Bales, Hamilton, VIC
- Big Ned Kelly, Glenrowan, VIC
- Big Arch of Victory, Ballarat, VIC
- Big DNA Tower, Perth, WA
- Big Orange, Harvey, WA
- Big Rocking Horse, Gumeracha, SA
Lindy Kerr from the Big Merino said she was proud to be part of Earth Hour this year and encouraged everyone in the local community to get involved.
"We're throwing the challenge out there to all Australians - and all of Australia's other 'big' icons - get on board and go dark for Earth Hour. It's such a simple way to show your support for action on climate change, and more importantly, that regional communities across Australia are behind the initiative.
WWF-Australia CEO Greg Bourne stressed that the time for action on climate change was now.
"2009 is a critical year for our environment and the fight against climate change. World leaders will meet at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December to create a new global deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"Australia's proposed emissions reduction target of 5 to 15 per cent is too low and may act as a roadblock to an effective global solution. "We urge the Rudd Government to listen to the public's support for Earth Hour and their vote for action. In the lead up to the Copenhagen climate talks in December, the Government must to commit to a reduction of at least 25 per cent."
For more information
Jonathon Larkin,
Media Officer, WWF-Australia
0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au
Rachael Hoy
National Media Manager, WWF-Australia
0407 204 594, rhoy@wwf.org.au
