Switch Off for WWF Earth Hour 8.30pm Saturday Night

It's lights off at 8.30pm Saturday night, March 27th, in support of the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour, and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is supporting this in East Devon.

Earth Hour is all about acting locally and thinking globally – people in Devon and Somerset can show they care about climate change by switching off their lights for just one hour and adding their names and experience of the event at WWF’s website. This year's goal is for 1 billion people to take part world wide.

What's happening?

From Australia to America and Europe to Asia, over 1,700 cities and towns will switch off their lights for one hour tomorrow to show that they care about climate change too. Last year 88 countries got involved and this year more than 100 will be taking part across 25 time zones. Many of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain, Golden Gate Bridge, The London Eye, Piccadilly Circus and the Las Vegas Strip will be participating.

Why switch off?

Stand-by doesn't mean you've switched off - and 71% of people in the UK regularly leave items on standby. A staggering 65% leave rooms and don't switch the lights off. It's a waste of moey and equates to about £740 million worth of wasted energy. It also costs the earth.

So, with fuel costs rising and the threat of climate change, why not use this year's Earth Hour as your day to turn over a new leaf?

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service reminds people joining in this worthwhile event to be extra careful if they decide to use other forms of lighting such as candles. Remember:

* never leave candles unattended

* place candles in suitable containers which are not easily knocked over

* keep flames well away from combustible materials

* extinguish candles properly and safely

Colin Butfield Head of Campaigns at WWF said: “WWF’s Earth Hour is an inspiring opportunity to do something positive to help tackle climate change. By switching off lights individuals, businesses, towns and cities can join a global phenomenon and show they care about climate change.”

To sign up to WWF's Earth Hour, or for more information, please visit the event website at WWF. For more information about fire safety, visit the Fire Service website.

I'll be interested to see how dark the skies are above Exmouth tomorrow night. A good evening to do some star gazing... what do you think? Will you switch off, even if you were planning a night in front of the TV?