Press Releases
01-03-2010 : McARTHUR URGES ORKNEY TO SUPPORT EARTH HOUR AND SWITCH OFF
Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, MSP today publicly backed WWF's Earth Hour initiative and urged Orcadian constituents, local businesses and organisations to also sign-up to the big switch off on Saturday 27 March.
On 27 March at 8.30pm individuals, businesses and public authorities in Scotland and across the world will turn off their lights for one hour in a graphic show of support for decisive action on climate change.
Last year world landmarks including Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Houses of Parliament in London and Christ the Redeemer statute in Rio de Janeiro took part. Here in Scotland, the Forth Bridge, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament all went dark for 60 minutes. Already this year WWF's Earth Hour 2010 is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing people and nature, and demands urgent action. Last year, the Scottish Parliament passed the toughest climate change legislation in the world. In December global climate talks in Copenhagen failed to follow Scotland's lead and a key opportunity to tackle dangerous climate change was missed.
Commenting, Liam McArthur said, "The Scottish Parliament led the way with our Climate Change Bill, but passing the Bill was the easy bit. Whether or not we meet the objectives the Bill sets for us will depend on action by individuals, communities, businesses and, of course, the public sector.
"The threat which climate poses is a real one. Orkney is potentially on the front line if we fail. Recent studies suggest that sea level rises could have a serious impact in Orkney, not least in Sanday, where I grew up - which is particularly low lying and vulnerable to any rise in sea levels.
"While quite radical behavioural changes will be required if we are to avert damaging rise in global temperatures, we should not underestimate the importance of the decisions we take as individuals. Earth Hour highlights the collective impact that a large number of small steps can have in reducing our energy consumption. With energy costs high, and set to climb higher in the future, doing more to conserve energy and to use it more efficiently makes sense economically as well as environmentally. Last year, St Magnus Cathedral joined the list of iconic buildings to 'turn off the lights' and many Orcadians did likewise. Hopefully the response locally this year will be even more impressive and I urge as many people as possible to show their support for this worthwhile initiative."
For more information on Earth Hour see:
www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour