News from Southampton Labour

Alan Whitehead MP commits to WWF’s Earth Hour 2012

Accompanied by the WWF’s panda mascot, Alan Whitehead MP is committing to switch off the lights for WWF’s Earth Hour 2012 and to supporting the environment summit in Rio.

WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple idea that has become a global phenomenon, with hundreds of millions of people turning off their lights on March 31 at 8.30pm to show they want to create a brighter future for the planet. Last year 135 countries, hundreds of millions of people and famous landmarks from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in London to the India Gate in New Delhi took part in WWF’s Earth Hour.

The global event comes only a few weeks before another vital appointment for the 2012 environment calendar. In June, the Brazilian city famous in the world for its beautiful carnival will host the environment summit and Alan Whitehead MP is already showing his support by signing up to WWF’s Earth Hour.

The Rio summit is a crucial moment for world leaders to discuss vital themes for the future, such as sustainable food, water and energy, and also assess what progress has been made since the first summit twenty years ago.

Alan Whitehead is a member of the Environmental Audit Committee, which recently published its report on preparations for the Rio Summit. The Committee urged the Government to do more to make the case for action to promote sustainable development; and highlighted how the UK could play a leading international role in championing environmental protection.

Alan Whitehead MP said “This year’s Earth Hour is about more than just switching of the lights for an hour. It’s a way for people across the world to highlight the importance of their leaders renewing their commitment to sustainable development.

“For the UK, it’s also a way of sending a message to David Cameron to tell him he should attend the Rio Summit in person. The presence of a British Prime Minister can make a real difference to what is achieved at summits like this. It’s hard to square the PM’s previous promises on the environment with his refusal to even show up to one of the most important environmental summits the world has held in the last 20 years.”

Colin Butfield, WWF’s head of campaigns said: ‘Earth Hour is not about saving an hour’s electricity. It’s something much bigger. It’s about people coming together to put the focus on this brilliant world we all share – and how we need to protect it. Not just for an hour a year, but every day.’

“This year’s Rio conference is a fundamental moment for world leaders to commit to doing something tangible about the planet and taking part in Earth Hour is a small but important step that everyone can take on the 31st of March.”

For more information on WWF’s Earth Hour, please visit www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk

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