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Join the Big Switch Off for Earth Hour – 26th March
Norwich switches off for Earth Hour, 26th March
Twenty large public buildings and big firms in Norwich will turn off their lights to celebrate Earth Hour on 26th March. The city will participate in a global “switch-off” to highlight how small changes in our lifestyles can make a big difference to the environment.
Buildings like the Cathedral, Theatre Royal and Norwich Castle, plus businesses including John Lewis and Jarrolds, are among the list of large buildings in the city turning out non-essential lights to remind people about saving energy and tackling climate change.
And they’ll be in good company, as Earth Hour is a global initiative with 125 countries taking part. UK landmarks from the Houses of Parliament, Wembley Stadium and Edinburgh Castle will switch off their lights for the hour.
Earth Hour takes place from 8.30pm – 9.30pm on Saturday 31st March. It was started in 2007 by Andrew Ridley from Bramerton, South Norfolk. He is patron of Norwich Carbon Reduction Trust, which is the local charity that has co-ordinated the initiative in Norwich. Participating organisations have not been asked to turn off lights needed for safety and security.
Norwich City Council has provided strong support for Earth Hour and will be switching off non-essential lights at City Hall, The Guildhall, The Castle and St Andrews and Blackfriars Hall.
Richard Willson, Environmental Strategy Manager at Norwich City Council said:
“As the city council, we’ve got to lead by example to show our commitment to protecting the city for the future. Earth Hour is such a simple idea, but really gets the message across that small changes made individually add up to a big difference collectively.
“We are very happy to be supporting this initiative again by switching off all non-essential lighting at our main premises for the event. It really shows that we can all do a little bit more, saving energy - and money - over the long term.”
Richard Hurst, Operations Manager at Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Norwich said:
“Chapelfield is delighted to continue its work with Norwich Carbon Reduction Trust and to support the awareness campaign for Earth Hour. It is through such events that we continue to support the importance of reducing energy consumption helping with the longevity of the planet's finite fuel reserves.”
For more information about Earth Hour, you can come to the Norwich Carbon Reduction Trust stall in Chapelfield Shopping Centre on 26th March.
The full list of organisations in Norwich and across Norfolk which are participating is below. Organisations will need to retain lighting needed for safety and security.
Marks and Spencer
Jarrolds
Aviva
Chaplefield Shopping Centre
John Lewis
Nova Silver
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Diocese
Archant
The Forum
Theatre Royal
The Playhouse
Norwich City College
Norwich City Council – City Hall, St Peter Mancroft, The Guildhall, Blackfriars Hall and St Andrews Hall, Norwich Castle
Norfolk County Council – County Hall
South Norfolk District Council
34 schools across Norfolk, including Ormiston Victory Academy, Northgate High School and Norwich High School for Girls.
3 restaurants in Norwich - MacIntosh’s Canteen, Three Ways Lebanese Restaurant, Wagamama’s
6 restuarants and pubs in South Norfolk will be having candle-lit dinners for the evening.
In Norfolk, Earth Hour is supported by the mid-Norfolk Federation of Small Businesses and has been promoted by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
Further quotes from Norwich Cathedral, John Lewis and WWF-UK
The Very Reverend Graham Smith, Dean of Norwich said: “We will be taking part in Earth Hour and switching off the major elements of the floodlighting at Norwich Cathedral. Energy is a valuable element in our lives and we must encourage everyone to appreciate that value and safeguard energy for future generations.”
Richard Marks, General Manager Selling of John Lewis said: "John Lewis Norwich is happy to support the Earth Hour campaign. We are committed to reducing energy consumption in the effort to combat climate change in all our shops and welcome the opportunity to help raise awareness of these important issues in our local community."
The event is organised on a global level by The World Wildlife Fund for Nature. Rachel Bloodworth, Communications Manager: Earth Hour, WWF-UK said:
"Earth Hour is an urgent message to world leaders that we need to tackle climate change and it's also a powerful reminder that we all need to help protect the planet. It is fantastic to see the Norwich community be such an important part of this global event."
Background notes
Norwich City Council – has been successful in reducing fuel consumption in its buildings and operations by 9 % over 2 years. It has supported Earth Hour for the last 3 years by switching off all non-essential lighting in the large buildings that the Council owns.
Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Norwich – has a proven track record in energy reduction and is constantly on the look-out for innovative and sustainable ways of managing it’s energy consumption.
Norwich Carbon Reduction Trust (ncrt) – ncrt is a charity that promotes practical actions to reduce carbon emissions and encourage sustainable living. It runs publicity campaigns and works with schools and community groups. See www.ncrt.org.uk
Contact
Rachel Watson
Co-Ordinator
Tel:01603 212197
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