Yellowbellies won’t necessarily be left in the dark when they turn their lights off during Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March as catching up on gossip or having a conversation are the most popular ways to spend 60 minutes by candlelight.
A survey conducted by Optima, the Lincoln graphic design consultancy spearheading the city’s involvement in the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour, reveals that most people in Lincoln will spend the hour having a good old natter without the distraction of television, radio or computer games.
Having a romantic candlelit meal or telling ghost stories came second and third respectively. Discovering astronomy propped up the top ten, just behind having a candlelit bath or playing a musical instrument.
“I think it’s going to be a very telling hour,” says Simon Shaw, Director of Optima. “We rely so much on electricity and the appliances it powers, that we’ve become dependent on the television or computer and video games for our entertainment. It’s time to let go of technology, just for an hour. Sixty minutes of conversation, reading or playing a board game by candlelight will bring people together and, at the same time, help the planet. The WWF wants to bring attention to the fact that by spending just an hour without non-essential electrical equipment will make a real difference, so the hour will give us all time to reflect how our actions impact on our planet.”
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
Optima has taken the lead in Lincoln’s Earth Hour effort and already secured the support of Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, The Collection and the Usher Art Gallery – with all organisations and attractions pledging to turn off their non-essential electricity between 8.30 and 9.30pm on 28 March.
For further information about Earth Hour and links to buy the T-shirts and candles visit www.wwf.org.uk To join the Earth Hour campaign visit www.optimadesign.co.uk/earthhour
You can download a pack to help organise your own Earth Party candlelit dinner at http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/dinnerparty/
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of Optima by Lava. For further information contact Matt or Lindsey at Lava on 01522 842 800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk / lindsey@lavapr.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
1. Optima Graphic Design surveyed clients, business contacts, suppliers, friends and acquaintances) during January 2009. The results are:
1. Gossiping
2. Romantic meal
3. Telling ghost stories
4. Early night…
5. Playing truth or dare
6. Séance
7. Going for a walk
8. Having a candlelit bath
9. Playing music/ singing
10. Stargazing
Earth Hour’s Top Ten suggestions:
1. Make a green action plan
2. Recycle something
3. Play hide and seek
4. Sing songs
5. Play word games
6. Play hand held games
7. Play board games
8. Tell stories
9. Make love
10. Take a nap
3. The mission of WWF is to stop the degradation of the planet’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 resources is sustainable, and
· promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
4. WWF Earth Hour T shirts are ‘Earth Positive’ and made from 100% organic, fairly traded cotton, ethically manufactured in a carbon neutral factory with a low water footprint. They are printed using water-based inks by a Soil Association certified printer. The swing tags are 100% recycled, the poly bags are bio-degradable and no air freight is used in shipping.
5. Earth Hour candles have 30 hours burning time. They are made from sustainably produced palm and soya plant wax. Measures height 4cm and diameter 7cm.
6. Optima Graphic Design Consultants Ltd was established in 1995 and currently employs 15 members of staff at its central Lincoln studios. The company’s client list includes The University of Lincoln, The Lincolnshire Showground, Liverpool University, The World Wide Fund for Nature, Branston, The KBSA, Denby, Ecole Internationale de Geneve, Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council and British Gypsum. Optima are currently working on the launch of the new innovation centre in Lincoln – the Think Tank.
