Press Release
Earth Hour Shetland
Switch On …… to Switching Off
For one hour next month, the lights on some of Shetland’s best known public buildings will go out. Not because of power failures, but due to the success of a world wide initiative called Earth Hour.
Iconic buildings including the Town Hall will be deliberately plunged into darkness between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm on 26 March, joining thousands of houses, offices, factories and businesses across the world.
Anyone in Shetland can join in as a sign of commitment to tackling climate change and protecting the natural world.
“Many people leave equipment on standby (still using energy) rather than fully switching off, or leave lights burning when not needed. This is your opportunity to assess what you - perhaps unconsciously – are doing, and can change to save yourself money and reduce energy use.” said Mary Lisk, Environmental Management Officer with Shetland Islands Council’s Environment and Energy Service.
“In Shetland people can suggest local landmarks that could reduce energy usage or could switch off, initially for the hour. Shetland Islands Council’s Environment and Energy Service has set up a email and telephone hotline called
“SEE IT; SWITCH IT; SAVE IT” Tel: (01595) 744850
We are asking the public and Council staff to contact us with suggestions for energy saving which we will examine and pass on. And, of course, anyone can spend an hour with reduced power in their own home or business”.
All 32 Scottish local authorities are promoting the event as is Shetland Community Planning Partnership. The campaign in Scotland is being run by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Thousands of landmarks worldwide will switch off at the same time including Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament; Buckingham Palace; Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House; the Empire State Building and the Great Pyramids.
Since starting in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become a global event. In 2010 hundreds of millions of people in 128 countries participated. In Shetland this year one of the world’s most endangered animals will play its part – a panda, the WWF symbol. The panda – more precisely a local dressed in a panda’s outfit – will be in the isles in March visiting various places accompanied by Jan Bevington of Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, who is part of Transition Shetland, a network of local people concerned about the impact of climate change and peak oil on the islands’ future. They hope to publicise the part powering down can play in wildlife conservation.
The Earth Hour project is fully supported by Shetland Islands Council. Environment Spokesperson Councillor Jim Henry welcomed the initiative and said he hoped local people would play their part.
“It is extremely important that we as a community recognise the need to conserve energy, which not only saves money but could help to save the most vulnerable parts of the planet”.