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EARTH HOUR 2016: 24 HOURS, 24 STORIES

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 SGT THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2016

On Saturday, 19 March at 8:30 p.m. local time, people, communities and organizations in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories will come together to shine a light on climate action as part of WWF’s Earth Hour. Started in Sydney, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour has grown from a single city event to the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment inspiring and mobilizing individuals, businesses and governments to take tangible climate action. In 2016, as some of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Taipei 101 and the Sydney Opera House switch off their lights for the tenth edition of Earth Hour’s lights out event, millions will unite to be a part of global efforts to change climate change. Read on to discover snippets of campaigns being led by WWF and Earth Hour teams in 24 countries encapsulating the energy and impact of Earth Hour as it rolls across 24 time zones and six continents. Please feel free to contact Rucha Naware, Communications Manager, Earth Hour Global at rucha@earthhour.org or +65 8148 2477 to know more about these stories or for any other media enquiries.

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• AUSTRALIA: Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as an idea intended to unite people and deliver a firm message to decision-makers that climate change was an issue Australians cared about. Today, as Earth Hour celebrates its tenth lights out, people across the country where Earth Hour was born are coming together to support WWF-Australia and take action as individuals and communities to change climate change and protect their country’s incredible natural resources such as the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage forests in Tasmania that are reeling under the impacts of climate change. On the night of 19 March, organizers are expecting over 1,000 events across Australia.

• BHUTAN: For Earth Hour 2016, WWF-Bhutan is setting up the Dungkhar Climate

Science Centre to create awareness among students on climate change and other environmental issues as well as Bhutan's conservation efforts through literary activities and sustainability initiatives. Students will also be encouraged to adopt an area destroyed by forest fires for reforestation.

• CHINA: As air quality in China continues to be a priority for the government and

public, WWF-China is using Earth Hour to spread awareness on how one’s daily habits can impact the environment we live in and encourage people to make sustainable choices when it comes to food, energy and transport. Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between demand and supply, the team is simultaneously working with different companies specializing in sustainable products to offer consumers sustainable and viable alternatives in various lifestyle categories.

• THE PHILIPPINES: Ranked among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate

change, WWF-Philippines is using Earth Hour to shine a light on the resilience of the Filipino people and success stories of what they have achieved together in the 20 years that WWF has been present in the country. On the night of Earth Hour, to illustrate the theme of a people-powered movement, the team will be hosting a low-carbon event, which will consist of an LED screen powered by cyclists on stationary bicycles. Supporters will be encouraged to join a silent-radio dance on a kinetic dance floor powered by their moves.

• SINGAPORE, INDONESIA & MALAYSIA: Following on the heels of the severe haze

crisis that made headlines globally last year, WWF-Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia have teamed up to shine a light on protecting forests and peatlands in Indonesia. Supporters in all three countries are being invited to urge both businesses and governments to act for sustainable practices and policies to protect these important carbon sinks in the region.

• INDIA, PAKISTAN & SRI LANKA: With Earth Hour coinciding with a global cricket

tournament, WWF and Earth Hour teams in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have teamed up with leading cricketers to encourage people to ‘bat’ for the planet. Whether it is promoting access to renewables in India or creating climate awareness in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, supporters are being urged to cheer for their favourite team and the planet by urging universal climate action from one and all.

• UAE: As recent weather events make climate change a much talked about issue in

the UAE, EWS-WWF is asking supporters to switch on their social power to help change climate change by encouraging them to Donate their Social Feed and create their own events for Earth Hour. The campaign aims to educate the audience about climate change and the risks it poses globally as well as specifically to the region.

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• RUSSIA: Having led Earth Hour campaigns to successfully rally public support for forests, seas and the Arctic in the past, this year WWF-Russia is hoping to achieve similar impact as they invite supporters to reduce their carbon footprint and collectively make a difference. Working with the government, the team will also organize an event at Moscow’s Red Square on the day of Earth Hour, along with a bicycle tour around the city centre open to the public.

• CROATIA: We often hear that climate change could change the very world we live in and WWF-Croatia is offering people a glimpse of what the ‘future market place’ could look like if we do not shine a light on climate action today. Together with private sector partners, WWF-Croatia is creating an experiential event that will show the public and decision-makers the impact climate change can have on everyday living and the cost of some of our favourite food items like chocolate and coffee.

• GEORGIA: This year, WWF Caucasus in collaboration with the National Forest

Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource Protection of Georgia is asking the public to help continue reforestation efforts in the country’s Borjomi area, which lost 1,000 hectares of forest cover in forest fires in 2008. On 19 March, WWF, along with the UN, UNDP, CENN, and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource Management, has also organized various government buildings, main avenues of the largest cities, historic monuments and landmarks to switch off their lights for an hour.

• HUNGARY: WWF-Hungary is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is using this special occasion to highlight the WWF Green Generation and Young Innovators of a Sustainable Future initiative. The team has collaborated with a children’s instructor course and a Hungarian think tank to create an interactive workshop online to discuss climate change and climate solutions. On the night, the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra will perform with only paper-stand lights to strike the right chords for the planet and climate action.

• FRANCE: Home to the historic climate summit in Paris last year, WWF-France is

continuing the charge to involve individuals in climate action, including through the symbolic gesture of turning off the lights of the Eiffel Tower for Earth Hour. The team is also running a ‘Café Panda’ challenge inviting students from 22 schools across the country to identify solutions to create sustainable homes, schools and neighbourhoods. The students with the most popular ideas on social media will be declared winners during Earth Hour.

• SCOTLAND: In the lead up to the Scottish elections in May 2016, WWF-Scotland is

asking supporters to email leaders of all five Scottish political parties to support the inclusion of WWF-Scotland’s manifesto focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the protection of marine areas in their campaign agendas. Closer to the election, WWF-Scotland will ask each party to come forward with their policies to ensure clean energy for homes as well as a strategy for sustainable fishing and an action plan to reduce Scotland’s electricity demand.

• SWEDEN: In Sweden, the WWF team is encouraging the public to write to the

country’s leadership to show that a fossil fuel-free future is within our reach by sharing a ‘recipe’ for 100 per cent renewable energy. As the emails pour in, the team will also meet with policy-makers to work together on translating the public’s vision into action.

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• SOUTH AFRICA: WWF-South Africa is using its local Earth Hour campaign to shine a light on ‘Energy, Water, Food and Waste’, encouraging South Africans to pledge to take as much action possible in each of these important categories. On the night of Earth Hour, supporters will be invited to join the celebration at various events across the country including a solar-powered picnic in Sun Valley Common and a performance by Page Mac, Beatenberg and the Mike Camble Big Band at Pierhead.

• TANZANIA: This Earth Hour, Tanzania is shining a light on top climate issues for the

country: renewable energy, deforestation and urbanization. Students, communities and local authorities in Dar es Salaam are aiming to plant 5,000 trees at Buyuni primary school as well as installing a solar PV system at the Buyuni Dispensary, in Kigamboni, Temeke Municipality. They also hope to install a solar water pump to service both Buyuni Primary School and the local dispensary.

• UGANDA: With a recent WWF report showing the potential of Uganda to go 100 per

cent renewable by 2050, the team is urging individuals to add their weight to the transition by making their commitment known on social media. School engagement programs are being organized to facilitate discussions about climate change and highlights of different social media campaigns will be shared with companies and stakeholders on the night.

• CHILE: Chile is asking participants to "Reverse Your Climate Karma", by

encouraging them to take a carbon footprint test online to view their consumption in multiple categories such as water and transport. The category in which they have the lowest score will be taken into account and lifestyle tips will be provided asking each individual to make a difference by taking an immediate pledge. On the night, supporters will be invited to learn more about sustainable living at the official Earth Hour event.

• ECUADOR: This year for Earth Hour, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the

Galapagos Islands will come alive with a night fair bringing together retailers, restaurants and members of the public, to promote local food production and consumption. During the event, there will be a "mystery basket" cooking challenge involving local produce only and visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite local meal. In Quito, the team has also partnered with restaurants and other NGOs to create an Earth Hour experience that includes ‘Climate Change menus’ using locally-grown food. Participants will be asked to continue their Earth Hour celebrations the next morning by participating in a bicycle tour of the city on Sunday.

• GUATEMALA: This Earth Hour, WWF-Guatemala is organizing an ‘Earth Hour Expo’

to show how small-scale producers are using indigenous methods and recycled materials to promote sustainable lifestyles. From fuel-efficient stoves to recycling of packaging material and using old bicycle parts to build energy generators, the expo will showcase the different ways people and communities can recycle, reuse and upcycle everyday objects.

• CYBERSPACE: People around the world are shining a light on climate action via

their Facebook timelines and social media profile pictures through Earth Hour’s ongoing ‘Donate Your Social Power’ campaign. To date, more than 10,000 people have signed up to allow Earth Hour to post on their timeline to inspire their friends and communities to join the movement to change climate change. Link to Earth Hour’s ‘The Future Starts Today’ video: http://ehour.me/FutureStartsToday

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************************ About Earth Hour: Earth Hour is WWF's global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become the world's largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in over 170 countries and territories to take tangible climate action. Celebrating the tenth edition of its signature lights out event in March 2016, the Earth Hour movement continues to harness the power of its millions of supporters to shine a light on climate action and the power of the individual to change climate change. About WWF: WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over five million supporters and 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 diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.