— last modified 26 March 2015
Top ranking political leaders in the European Commission, as well as more than 70 Members of the European Parliament, join millions of people around the world on the occasion of Earth Hour 2015.
From the European Union buildings in Brussels to the Sydney Opera House, Table Mountain, the Petronas Towers, the Brandenburg Gate, the Tokyo Tower and the Empire State Building – a long list of the most recognisable iconic locations across six continents will switch off their lights for Earth Hour 2015 for an hour starting at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday 28 March, joining millions of people around the world.
In Brussels top EU politicians such as Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament; Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union; Miguel Arias Cañete, the EU commissioner for Climate Action and Energy; Karmenu Vella, the EU Commissioner for the Environment; Neven Mimica, the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development ? are joining the campaign and sending a powerful message for action to protect our planet and fight climate change, only months before the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, which is meant to produce a global agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and beyond.
WWF’s Earth Hour takes on its biggest challenge ever this year by strengthening the focus on the globe’s most stubborn environmental challenge ? climate change. As the opportunity for action on climate change peaks in 2015, the world’s largest movement will raise its voice to change climate change.
Speaking in a video released on 25 March, Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union, called on European citizens to show they care about climate change by participating to Earth Hour.
“I will use my power to change climate change”, he said. “Global warming is having devastating effects on our planet, on animals, on us, humans. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity. Our ecological system is being disrupted and climate change is having severe impacts on human health and on our economy. It causes entire populations to migrate in search of new resources, sometimes, forcing them into conflict. But we can still change climate change.
In a blog post, Miguel Arias Cañete, the EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner wrote:
“The Paris climate conference this December will be decisive. All countries have to step up their efforts in our common fight against climate change. The time for empty words and hollow rhetoric has passed. Now is the time for legally binding and ambitious goals.”
“I would like to count on your help and the help of the millions of people participating in Earth Hour to push for a successful Paris conference”, he added.
As the international community will gather in September to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals, Neven Mimica, the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, added in a video message:
“A harsh truth about climate change is that it will hit developing countries the hardest – the countries that are already the most vulnerable and least equipped to deal with it.”
“This is why we, through the European Union’s development cooperation, support the poorest countries in adopting sustainable, low carbon development paths, and help the most vulnerable people and communities adapt to climate change.”
“Climate change is not just the issue of the hour, it’s the issue of our generation and we are delighted that key EU leaders have given their support to this year’s Earth Hour,” added Tony Long, Director of WWF European Policy Office.
“In this crucial year for the fight against climate change, it’s important that the European institutions use their powers and political muscle to lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energies and driving the industrial and economic transition that is needed to protect people and the planet. By joining Earth Hour, these EU leaders become part of the biggest global movement to build a hopeful future for all life on the planet.”
