Irish To Switch Off For Earth Hour

Some of the State's political leaders have come out in support of the upcoming Earth Hour scheduled for this weekend.

120 countries have signed up this year to the conservation event, with 2124 cities participating to date. In Europe, Paris, Moscow, Berlin, Bern, Dublin, Madrid, Vaduz, and Amsterdam have joined cities such as Capetown and Rio Janerio.

The aim of the event is to spread awareness of over consumption by asking everyone to switch off all electronic devices, electrical equipment and fuel consuming vehicles for an hour this Saturday at 8.30pm.

Dublin's 102FM Radio is giving away hundreds of wind up torches to listeners who contact them about events they are holding. Cork’s Blackrock Observatory will be holding a special viewing as the city dims, while 12 venues in Temple Bar will celebrate Earth Hour with a Trad Night by Candlelight, joined by Door51 in Cork.

The Minister for the Environment will be delivering his Leader’s speech on RTE – and it too will honour Earth Hour as he urges viewers to turn of the lights – but not the television.

Labour's spokesperson on Environment and Heritage Joanna Tuffy said that like other political parties, Labour was taking Earth Hour very seriously.

"Two years ago many of our councillors and Mayors were very successful in putting motions to their councils to have lights switched off in local authority buildings. As Labour Environment Spokesperson I raised the issue in the Dail and obtained agreement from the OPW that they would turn off the lights in various Government buildings during Earth Hour," she said.

She added: "This initiative has turned out to be a great way of both saving energy and raising the awareness of householders that they can contribute to addressing climate change."

Green Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley joined the appeal to people and businesses alike to support Earth Hour

Minister Gormley encouraged everybody across Ireland to join with people around the globe who are taking part in Earth Hour, by turning off the lights in their homes and businesses.

He said: "This is the third annual Earth Hour and one billion people, in more than 1,000 cities around the world are expected to take this symbolic action against climate change.

Last year, Ireland played a critical role in Earth Hour’s development as the only country in Europe to support Earth Hour.

Minister Gormley added: "At 8.30pm this evening I am hoping that people will not only turn off their lights for an hour. I hope people will make a decision to make a permanent change in the way they use energy. By doing your bit and not wasting energy every day, you can also save hundreds of euro a year. By taking part in this global green event, we can show the world that Ireland cares and wants to play its part in tackling climate change."

(DW/BMcC)