Why it’s important to turn out the lights at 8.30pm

Turn off the lights to show you support the planet, asks Oldham Council.

The authority’s buildings will go dark for 60 minutes after it signed up to support Earth Hour 2010 tomorrow, which will raise awareness of energy use and climate change by getting people to turn off lights for an hour.

Earth Hour was instigated in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund; this year it will be from 8.30pm.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and Infrastructure, said: “Earth Hour is a simple yet effective way for individuals and organisations to visibly show their commitment to improving energy use and managing climate change.

“To highlight our commitment to Earth Hour and what it stands for, the council will be turning off lighting in the borough at as many sites as it is safe and legal to do so. The most iconic locations will be Gallery Oldham, the civic centre and Failsworth Pole”.

Councillor Alcock is asking residents to join him, the council and partners in switching all the lights off they can across Oldham.

Residents can sign up to the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour at: www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk

People can also help by joining the council in committing to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2010. To join the campaign visit www.1010uk.org