EARTH HOUR - 28.03.2009

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Malaysia counting down to Earth Hour
17 Feb 2009
Corporate Malaysia, iconic landmarks and celebrities join hands to fight against climate change

Kuala Lumpur – Imagine a major part of Kuala Lumpur turning its lights out almost simultaneously for one hour. A city in darkness would definitely get the town talking on what all the fuss is about. On 28 March, Malaysia will be taking part in a global movement to stand united with 1000 cities and its peoples for Earth Hour by switching off non-essential lights for one hour. Earth Hour, which will take place on 28 March 2009, 8.30pm to 9.30pm (local time), is aimed at promoting awareness to fight against climate change.

“The act of switching non-essential lights is a simple and effortless step that every person can take that can trigger a huge positive impact against climate change. The message we are trying to give is that every person, by taking a small action such as turning off a light, can make a huge difference in the fight against climate change”, said WWF-Malaysia Executive Director/CEO, Dato' Dr Dionysius Sharma.

Earth Hour is an initiative started by World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Last year 50 million people across 35 countries took part in this movement. This year WWF is targeting 1 billion people worldwide - individuals, government and corporations alike and WWF-Malaysia is joining the ranks to lead Malaysians to be part of this global action. “Humanity is not in a position to allow our activities to warm up the planet. Much is at stake; biodiversity, our loved ones and ourselves. Let's start with an hour and stop only when we have created hope for planet Earth” Dato' Dr Dionysius Sharma further said.

Today's launch kicks off WWF-Malaysia’s drive to muster the support and participation of Malaysians, targeting at least 5 million individuals and corporations as well as building owners and the government.

One of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic landmarks, the KL Tower has graciously offered their support to the Earth Hour movement by providing the venue for the launch of Earth Hour today as well as for the Earth Hour event on 28 March. "Menara Kuala Lumpur, under it's Tower of Hope programme, is committed to raise awareness on climate change and being the first monument in Malaysia to participate for this cause, we would like to call upon other buildings in this country to do the same" said Dato' Zulkifli Mohamad, Chief Executive Officer of Menara Kuala Lumpur.

Dato' Dr Dionysius Sharma added “We are ecstatic that KL Tower has pledged their support for Earth Hour and we are hoping to get our world famous KLCC Twin Towers to be involved as well. Other iconic landmarks around the world such as the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan and Dubai’s Burj Al Arab have already pledged their support for this cause”.

Meanwhile local celebrities have also joined hands together with WWF-Malaysia to lend their support to drive this cause to the masses. Among celebrities and personalities who have confirmed their participation for Earth Hour are Zainal Abidin, Alex Yoong, Karamjit Singh, Stephanie Chai, Lina Teoh, Shebby Singh, Daphne Iking, Sharifah Amani, Sarimah, Sazzy Falak, Rina Omar, Aishah Sinclair and Lyn Lim. These celebrities will participate in promotional events leading up to Earth Hour. Malaysia’s very own famous film director, Yasmin Ahmad has been appointed to as the Ambassador of Earth Hour. Her appointment is very appropriate with the movement’s theme of unity as her films echoes the same message as well.

Even individuals have come forward to provide rallying assistance. Thanks to the generous effort of one of Malaysia’s corporate leaders – Dato’ Johan Raslan, President of ICRM, many companies have come forward to pledge their participation in Earth Hour. Dato Johan said, “Supporting Earth Hour by switching off the lights is so simple to do. It is just a small step in the longer journey to raise awareness of climate change. By participating, corporate Malaysia is sending a resounding message that we are serious about sustainability”.

On the media front ASTRO, Media Prima and RTM – pledging to provide air time to run Earth Hour commercials and promotions while at the same time dedicating slots in their talk show programmes to promote this initiative, with 8TV pledging to halt transmission of all programmes for an hour. “8TV is honoured to be part of this momentous event. As a leading media company, and more importantly as citizens of the world, it is our responsibility to help raise awareness towards the need to take action against climate change. 8TV is committed to the message of Earth Hour and will take its first step by reducing broadcasting time by one hour starting from the 1 March 2009. And in support of Earth Hour 2009, for the first time ever in tv broadcasting history, 8TV will shut down tv transmission from 8.30pm – 9.30pm on March 28. This transmission shutdown, done during our peak prime-time hour, will send a strong message to all Malaysians about the need to slow down climate change.” said it’s 8TV’s Chief Executive Officer, En. Ahmad Izham.

Earth Hour has been a huge success – first in Sydney alone in 2007, and then globally last year and it is a testament to show that the simple act of people switching off their lights can make a resounding statement for a worthy cause.

Malaysians from all walks of life are strongly encouraged to be a part of this global movement and make a difference in the world that we live in. Sign up for Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org/malaysia and make a pledge to switch off your lights now.

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach out to 1 billion people in 1,000 cities.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’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 natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.