Helen Clark urges all Kiwis to take part in Earth Hour 2010
New Zealand joins the global lights-out event in March
WWF has today announced Earth Hour will take place on Saturday 27 March 2010 from 8.30 – 9.30pm. Former Prime Minister
Helen Clark has joined the conservation organisation in calling on all New Zealanders to take part in the global event
that “recognises the importance of personal action in the movement to stop dangerous climate change”.
Earth Hour shows that a simple energy-saving act repeated by many can make a difference, and symbolises the massive
public support for continued action on climate change. Since it began in Sydney in 2007, the campaign has grown to
become the largest mass-environmental action in history. In 2009, Earth Hour saw hundreds of millions of people in more
than 4,000 cities - including 1.5 million New Zealanders [1] - turn off lights for one hour in a graphic demonstration
of support for determined international action on climate change.
Earth Hour ambassador Helen Clark said: "In 2008 I launched WWF-New Zealand's first ever Earth Hour in Christchurch .
Its message was simple but powerful: that our individual actions may be small, but together we can make a difference.
"Since then I've seen the Earth Hour message grow as increasing numbers of people - in New Zealand and around the world
- recognise the importance of personal action in the movement to stop dangerous climate change.
"The support of local councils across New Zealand has played an important role in helping WWF create a successful
campaign for long-term behavioural change.
"I am pleased to support WWF's Earth Hour once again, and I encourage all New Zealanders to participate on 27 March
2010. Through our personal actions on this hour, and every hour, we can demonstrate our commitment to living in better
balance with our ecosystems and saving our planet from disastrous climate change."
Earth Hour already has the support of 37 councils across New Zealand , and official partners include TV3, MoreFM, Trade
Me and Good magazine. In addition to Helen Clark, more than a dozen high profile Kiwis from many walks of life are
already signed up as Earth Hour ambassadors, including 3 News reporter and presenter Samantha Hayes, TV and radio host
Wallace Chapman, financial journalist and commentator Rod Oram, Sustainable Business Network head Rachel Brown, and
World Champion Trans-Atlantic rower Rob Hamill.
Chris Howe, Executive Director of WWF- New Zealand said: “Earth Hour provides Kiwis with a chance to demonstrate their
commitment to protecting New Zealand ’s, and the planet’s, environment. Take part and add your voice to the growing
number of people who are prepared to their bit. Climate change may be bigger than each of us, but it is not bigger than
all of us.”
Individuals, businesses and organisations wanting to take part in WWF’s Earth Hour can register today at
www.earthhour.org.nz . Open-source materials including campaign badges and posters will be available to enable people to
show their support.
ENDS