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Earth Hour 2009 - Time for Change - Gormley

01/04/09

Earth Hour 8.30 pm Time for Change - Gormley

Irish people and businesses urged to be part of a billion person event for Earth Hour 

John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government today (28 March 09) appealed to people and businesses alike to support Change, Ireland’s national climate change awareness campaign and support Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm.  The Minister is encouraging everyone across Ireland to join with  people around the globe who are  taking part in Earth Hour, by turning off the lights in their homes and businesses. This is the third annual Earth Hour and one billion people, in more than 1,000 cities around the world are expected to take this symbolic action against climate change.  The Minister is optimistic that people at home and businesses all around Ireland will follow suit.  Last year, Ireland played a critical role in Earth Hour’s development as the only country in Europe to support Earth Hour.  
FAI Supporting Earth Hour
Ireland are playing Bulgaria in a vital World Cup Qualifier on Saturday night which will coincide with Earth Hour and the Change campaign are delighted to have received the support of the Football Association of Ireland, “The Football Association of Ireland are supporting the Earth Hour initiative by showing the Earth Hour television commercial at the match” says an FAI spokesperson, while Ireland and Manchester United footballer John O’Shea is urging the public to back Earth Hour as well as the Irish team, “I am behind Earth Hour and it would be great if the country could support us during Earth Hour by switching off the lights while watching the game.”
Minister Gormley wishes the Irish team all the best for tonight and points out that the Irish public can support both Earth Hour and the team, “I commend the FAI for their support of Earth Hour and I  hope that the Irish football team can emulate the exploits of their rugby compatriots this Saturday evening. The FAI will actually be broadcasting Earth Hour messages on the big screens in Croke Park and Ireland’s John O’Shea has also been lending his support to the campaign. For those people who will not be at the match I would encourage “TV Pooling”- switch off your lights and invite your friends and neighbours round to watch the game; this will mean that far fewer television sets will be powered on than usual and that the sense of spirit and community engendered by both Bernard Dunne and the Irish rugby team last Saturday can hopefully be replicated again this weekend.” 
Irish and Leinster rugby star Malcolm O’Kelly is also supporting Earth hour, “This is an attempt to get individuals, communities, businesses and Governments to switch off their lights for one hour and in so doing, create increased awareness around the issue of climate change.”
“I have put it in my diary and we’ll be switching off our lights and visiting friends who live up in the Dublin Mountains so we can look down on the city and see the effect Earth Hour is having as the lights go out all over Dublin.” 
“At 8.30pm on March 28th, I’m hoping that people will not only turn off their lights for an hour. I hope people will make a decision to make a permanent change in the way they use energy,” added Minister Gormley.  “By doing your bit and not wasting energy every day, you can also save hundreds of euro a year. By taking part in this global green event, we can show the world that Ireland cares and wants to play its part in tackling climate change.
“Everyone has a role in combating climate change and Earth Hour is a symbol of the power we have to make a difference. Through one simple action, turning off our lights for one hour, we can deliver a powerful message about the need to reduce our carbon footprint. People can also find out their personal carbon number and tips on how to lower it at www.change.ie. Know your number and try to reduce it.”
“At this time of economic turmoil, the investment needed to tackle climate change can help lift economies out of financial crisis”, says Minister Gormley.  “We will need to invent new ways to reduce our reliance on oil and other fossil fuels. We will need to invest in upgrading our buildings, our transport systems and our energy systems.  Hundreds of billions of euro invested around the world will generate millions of jobs.”
Tony Lowes of FIE  Friends of the Irish Environment said, ”Earth Hour's message is that no matter who we are or what we enjoy, we all care about global warming. It's OK to watch the match - you can still find ways to take part in Earth Hour.”


From showering in the morning, to checking emails or boiling a kettle – many of the activities that we engage in on a daily basis create carbon emissions that contribute to climate change
There is a lot more you can do too – log onto www.change.ie to find out your carbon number and ways to reduce it.  When you reduce energy, you save money.
Earth Hour started in Sydney in 2007 when 2.2 million people and businesses switched off the lights in homes and businesses for an hour.  Last year 50 million people in 35 countries participated, including Ireland.
The Earth Hour and Change campaign has been brought together by the co-operation and close partnership of Bord Gais Energy, Solas, Power of One and ESB Customer Supply.

ENDS

Note for Editors
Iconic buildings across Ireland will turn their lights off during Earth Hour.
In Dublin, public buildings including Government buildings, Leinster House, the Custom House, and the Four Courts will be turning off their lights for Earth Hour.
Countrywide, The Rock Of Cashel, the most visited heritage site in Ireland will be plunged into darkness for Earth Hour, as will Cahir Castle, Ormonde Castle, Carrick on Suir, Donegal Castle and Trim Castle in Co Meath, the largest Anglo Norman castle in Ireland.

EirGrid reported a reduction of 50 megawatts of electricity used in the hours around Earth Hour last year, the first year that Ireland took part in this global initiative. One megawatt is equivalent to the approximate use of 650 domestic homes. Generating one megawatt for one hour, using the mix of normal generation would cause emissions of approximately 400 kilogrammes of CO2.

Some of the things you can do to reduce your carbon number include
· Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-saving ones, saving you €46 a year on your electricity bill - and energy saving light bulbs last 10 times longer
· When buying new kitchen appliances – fridge, washing machine etc -   make sure they are rated A++. All appliances have a rating. Just ask.

· Insulate your home. Government  grants are available – up to €4000 

· You can save €40 a year by fitting draught proofing. That’s €40 every year, forever, once the work is done

· If you’re thinking of changing your car, buy a low emissions vehicle and save on the purchase price and on motor tax every year.   


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