The University of Lincoln has become the latest high profile organisation to commit to Lincoln’s Earth Hour.
Staff and students are being encouraged to turn off their non-essential electrical appliances between 8.30pm and 9.30pm this coming Saturday (28 March) following the lead set by Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle amongst others.
Earth Hour has been organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to send out a global statement about concerns over climate change.
Locally, the Earth Hour campaign has been spearheaded by Lincoln Graphic Design Company, Optima, which has worked with the WWF since 2002.
Dan Clayton, Environmental Sustainability Manager at the University of Lincoln, says, “When we were told about the campaign to get as many local businesses and people as possible turning off their lights and non-essential appliances for the hour we were keen to get involved. We will be encouraging our staff and students to show their concerns over climate change by simply flicking a switch.”
The University’s involvement means that all of Lincoln’s major public sector organisations are supporting Earth Hour, and with potentially 700 businesses set to take part, Earth Hour in the City could be one of the best supported in the whole country.
“On Saturday 28 March 2009 at 8.30pm, people, businesses and iconic buildings around the world will switch off their lights for an hour – WWF’s Earth Hour. The WWF wants a billion people around the planet to sign up and join in as a way of showing the word’s leaders that they care about climate change and want government’s to take action. With 1200 cities in 80 countries taking part, this year’s Earth Hour is going to make a truly global statement,” says Simon Shaw of Optima.
Earth Hour was first stage two years ago in Sydney but last year became a global event. To join the WWFs campaign this year visit www.optimadesign.co.uk/earthhour and follow the links. For further information about Earth Hour and links to buy the T-shirts and candles visit www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour
-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. 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.
2. 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 is currently working on the launch of the new innovation centre in Lincoln – The Think Tank.
