Capital switches off for Earth Hour campaign

Published on Saturday 28 March 2009 10:26

DARKNESS will fall over Edinburgh this evening as homes, businesses and famous landmarks switch off their lights.

People from across the Lothians are joining millions around the globe in taking part in WWF's Earth Hour event at 8.30pm.

Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, Scottish Parliament and Forth Bridge will have their lights extinguished for an hour in a bid to put pressure on global leaders to address climate change.

Other businesses, including Standard Life, Lloyds Banking Group, the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh University and Our Dynamic Earth will also be showing their support by switching off lights in their offices.

A number of iconic landmarks around the globe, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, are also taking part.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: "To have the backing of so many important buildings and organisations in Edinburgh for WWF's Earth Hour is tremendous."