Blackburn Town Centre celebrates WWF’s Earth Hour

15th March 2016

On Saturday 19 March 2016, at 8.30pm Blackburn Town Centre will join millions across the world to celebrate WWF’s Earth Hour and switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of our brilliant planet.

By joining the global celebration, the town centre will take part in a symbolic moment, not designed to have impact through an hour of energy saving, but to help put a spotlight on the issues facing the planet and to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.

To celebrate the global event, town centre partners including Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackburn BID, The Mall, Blackburn College, Blackburn Cathedral, Boots, Santander, Square Cactus, Gossip Beauty and a number of other local businesses and organisations will be:

• Switching off all non-essential lights in our shops and offices at 8.30pm on 19 March for one hour
• Encouraging other people to sign up and support the campaign
• Using the event to help raise local awareness of climate change and related issues such as food waste and energy costs.

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Regeneration said: “We are proud to take part in WWF’s Earth Hour and are excited to be involved with such a great and inspiring event. Everyone can make a difference to help protect our planet and we all have a key role to play.”

Ian Holmes, Square Cactus on King William Street said: “This is a simple initiative to join for businesses of any size. As well as highlighting the wider effects of climate change on the planet it also gives organisations the opportunity to review their energy usage and make savings at the same time. ”

Jennifer Clements, spokesperson for WWF-UK, said: “We’re thrilled that Blackburn Town Centre will be taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. By taking one simple step to switch off, WWF’s Earth Hour is a chance for all of us to come together and send out a global message about protecting our planet.”

Last year, 172 countries and territories took part in WWF’s Earth Hour, with switch-offs of global landmarks like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House.  And in the UK over 10 million individuals took part.

Everyone can join the celebration for WWF’s Earth Hour on Saturday 19 March 2016. For more information and to sign up please visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour