How will you celebrate Earth Hour 2018?

23rd March 2018

The Highland Council is once again proud to be taking part in WWF's Earth Hour and is leading the way in supporting the event throughout the region.

For the 11th consecutive year, the Council is calling on local people and businesses to back WWF’s Earth Hour and support collective action in tackling climate change.

At 8.30pm on 24th March, hundreds of millions of people will turn off their lights for one hour, all across the world in a huge show of support for action on climate change and for a more sustainable future. It’s always a memorable, symbolic and spectacular event with cities, communities and landmarks across the globe going dark for the hour; 60 minutes of darkness provides a truly graphic demonstration of commitment towards those people and wildlife threatened by the world’s changing climate.

To celebrate Earth Hour 2018, The Highland Council will again be switching off floodlights for the weekend at local landmarks including: Inverness Castle, Cathedral and Ness Bridge floodlights in addition to Urquhart Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, Ruthven Barracks, Packhorse Bridge in Carrbridge and Spey Bridge in Grantown. In addition, Inverness Castle and Cathedral floodlighting will turn green in support of Earth Hour during the week running up to 24th March.

Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of Environment, Development & Infrastructure Committee, said: "We’re proud to once again be taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour. It’s important to be able to show that by working together, we can make a difference in tackling climate change and helping to protect our planet.

He added: “I hope as many people in the Highlands as possible get involved and make the eleventh anniversary of Earth Hour one for us all to remember."

There are also a number of events and activities happening across the region:

Wednesday 21st March 7-8pm - Broadford and Strath Community Company are hosting a Cosmos Planetarium event at Elgol Village Hall, Isle of Skye at 7pm - 8pm. A special show highlighting light pollution as well as star hopping.
On 24th March, Eden Court Cinema will be screening a short documentary: 'A Beacon: Scotland Confronts Climate Change’ before every film screening on the day.
Highlife Highland libraries across the region will have climate change displays and some will be hosting events such as themed crafts and lego or bookbug. Check out your local library Facebook page for more details. A few mentions are:
Fortrose Library is having an Earth Hour themed Saturday 24 March with activities and book bug 10am--1pm.
Lairg Library has teamed up with Kyle of Sutherland Trust and have Earth Hour activities and a screening of 'The Lorax' on Friday 23 March between 3-5pm.
Nairn Library has a Earth hour craft event on Thursday 22 March 4-5pm for ages 5-9.
The Highlands Astronomical Society will be hosting an public viewing event during Earth Hour at Culloden Observatory. Friday 23 March and Sat 24 March starting at 20:00-22:00. Visit www.spacegazer.com (external link) for more information.
Details of these and any additional events will be posted via the Council’s Twitter feed @HighlandCouncil and on www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour (external link)

In addition, several schools across the region are stepping up for Earth Hour 2018. Inverness Royal Academy are undertaking a coordinated school-wide effort to reduce energy on Friday 23rd March. Teachers and pupils will be monitoring their combined energy savings, and are challenging others to do the same.

In the run up to Earth Hour 2018, primary schools across the region were invited to participate in and Earth Hour challenge to build dens as a way of reusing, reducing, and recycling existing items to promote the circular economy. Some very impressive entries were received and one pupil even built an igloo!

For further information or queries about Earth Hour, contact the climate change team on carbonclever@highland.gov.uk or call 01463 702 279. Or why not follow us on Twitter - @Carbon_CLEVER