WWF asks CAPE TOWN to support EARTH HOUR 2010
This year the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is driving Earth Hour for the second time in South Africa. Pledge your commitment to switching off lights and to reducing our carbon footprint.
What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is the world’s largest global demonstration in history. Last year, over 4 000 cities in 88 countries took part. This year, Earth Hour takes place at 8.30pm on Saturday 27 March. More than a million South Africans have pledged to switch off their lights for an hour, including buildings in Cape Town. The City of Cape Town has agreed to switch off lights in municipal buildings and on Table Mountain.
The objective
To send a message to local and global leaders that we are serious about tackling climate change and to call for a fair, effective and binding climate deal at the next UN Climate Change Summit in December in Mexico.
What is the WWF?
The WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations with a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological biodiversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. See www.wwf.org.za
Why should Cape Town switch off and pledge?
Energy security is a huge issue in South Africa and we need to apply ourselves seriously to reduce our reliance on coal-fired electricity and to stop producing the harmful emissions that affect all of us. Energy efficiency is a matter of urgency, consciousness and good business.
One hour is enough to send a powerful message, but we need to take it further by all doing our part to reduce our energy consumption.
· The WWF is urging all to support this and to make a pledge to reduce energy consumption. Visit the Earth Hour website
· Please support the call on 27 March by switching off your lights between 8.30 and 9.30pm. Cape Town needs to show leadership in this regard.
Earth Hour is the first step. You can continue to be involved by joining the City of Cape Town’s Energy Efficiency Forum for property owners and managers of commercial buildings. Please contact Sarah Rushmere at for more information.
Thank-you.