WWF-Canada: Tonight, Millions of Canadians Will Turn Off the Lights for Earth Hour to Fight Climate Change

2008-03-29 03:00:00

WWF-Canada: Tonight, Millions of Canadians Will Turn Off the Lights for Earth Hour to Fight Climate Change

TORONTO, ONTARIO–( EMWNews – March 29, 2008) – Today more than one hundred and fifty cities and municipalities across Canada will celebrate WWF’s Earth Hour from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. to show support for action on climate change. To date, more than 84,000 Canadians and 4,000 businesses in Canada have registered online, and millions more are participating. A poll released last week by Earth Hour partner Virgin Mobile, found that 70 per cent of Canadians plan to turn off their lights tonight.

Every city participating in Earth Hour tonight has different events planned to celebrate the lights out theme. Toronto will play host to the official Canadian Earth Hour event where Nelly Furtado, Canada’s first Earth Hour Ambassador, will perform a free concert and play her smash hit and the night’s theme song, “Turn off the light”.

“The environment is a top priority for us and we are proud to support Earth Hour,” said Jagoda Pike, Publisher of the Toronto Star. “And we are thrilled that hundreds of companies, stores and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area will be joining us in participating tonight in Earth Hour as a way of showing they want to be a part of the solution when it comes to climate change, which is the single biggest environmental threat to our planet.”

“I’m delighted that thousands of Toronto residents, businesses and building owners have pledged to participate in Earth Hour,” said Mayor David Miller. “When millions of lights go out in homes and businesses across Toronto tonight, there will be no doubt that cities are where real action on climate change is taking place. We’re proud to be a leader on climate change, and delighted that more than 100 other Canadian cities are joining us in this global effort.”

Beyond turning off their lights, Canadians will be celebrating in many ways. Some are hosting their own Earth Hour events, restaurants are creating Earth Hour menus and having candlelight dinners, numerous municipalities are hosting free public celebrations, and even businesses open for business will be powering down for the hour.

“Canada’s incredible support of Earth Hour is a great example of what can happen when businesses, governments, communities and individuals get together to make a difference on climate change,” said Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group and founder of Virgin Mobile Canada. “At Virgin, we’re passionate about harnessing this kind of support around the world and inspiring people to continually find ways to tackle climate change.”

“For Earth Hour, millions of Canadians are joining the world to show support for action on climate change”, said Mike Russill, President and CEO of WWF-Canada. “We need everyone to do their part – individuals, businesses and governments. And don’t stop today! Think of what we can do if we make every hour Earth Hour.”

WWF-Canada will be releasing initial results on participation, the drop on the electrical grid and our greenhouse gas savings the day after Earth Hour. A more detailed analysis will follow in the coming weeks.

“This is an extremely important initiative for Global News as we’re deeply committed to making a difference in our communities,” said Maureen Rogers, Vice President and General Manager, Global Ontario “As a trusted source of news, we are proud to be part of this environmental cause.”

Background

Earth Hour is a global lights-out phenomenon that will bring together people from all over the world to show their support for action on climate change. More than 20 major cities around the world are already participating including Sydney, Chicago and Copenhagen.

Last year, WWF’s Earth Hour made its debut in Sydney and it was a huge success. More than two million individuals and businesses participated, resulting in a 10 per cent reduction on the electrical grid and saving 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Notes:

1. Photos and backgrounders can be found at http://del.icio.us/wwfca

2. Nelly Furtado Earth Hour PSA mpg – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GKb5a673b8

3. Richard Branson Earth Hour PSA mpg – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhraQ5Rv5u0

For more information, please contact

WWF-Canada
Tara Wood
Manager, Earth Hour and Public Relations
(416) 484-7710 or Cell: (416) 407-0775
Email: [email protected]

or

Virgin Mobile
Paula Lash
(416) 655-5555
Email: [email protected]

or

Toronto Star
Bob Hepburn
Director, Community Relations and Communications
(416) 869-4947
Email: [email protected]

or

Office of Mayor David Miller
Stuart Green
(416) 338-7119
Email: [email protected]

or

Global Television
Yvonne Chian
News Publicist
(604) 422-6736 or Cell: (778) 241-0143
Email: [email protected]

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