ARMENIA JOINS THE EARTH HOUR EVENT

armradio.am
27.03.2009 16:46

Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the WWF
(World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund), held on the last
Saturday of March, that asks households and businesses to turn
off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one
hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate
change. Based on an idea successfully executed in Thailand in 2005,
it was pioneered by WWF Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald in
2007, and achieved worldwide participation in 2008.

Earth Hour will next take place on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30
pm, local time.

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first
global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities,
race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch
as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or
leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world
to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be
presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference
in Copenhagen 2009.

Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE
EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued an address in=2 0Support of
"Earth Hour." The message reads:

"On the 28th of March, the world will observe Earth Hour.

Millions of people, in hundreds of cities, will turn off their lights
for an hour.

Earth Hour is a way for the citizens of the world to send a clear
message.

They want action on climate change.

It promises to be the largest demonstration of public concern about
climate change ever attempted.

People will be telling their representatives to seal a deal in
Copenhagen. A deal at the climate change talks that will protect
people and the planet.

We need an ambitious agreement. An agreement that is fair and
effective. An agreement based on sound science.

We are on a dangerous path. Our planet is warming. We must change
our ways.

We need green growth that benefits all communities. We need sustainable
energy for a more climate-friendly, prosperous world.

This is the path of the future. We must walk it together.

Around the world, many famous landmarks will go dark during
Earth Hour. In New York, we will switch out the lights at UN
Headquarters. Other UN facilities around the world will also take part.

I urge citizens everywhere to join us.

Please send a strong message on climate change.

Together we can find a solution to this most serious of global
challenges."

Armenia will also join the Earth Hour event this year.