Iconic Waterford buildings to go dark as part of global movement
Bishop's Palace lit up. Picture by Joe Evans.
Waterford City and County Council are to switch off non-essential lighting on Saturday, March 28 to mark Earth Hour.
Between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday evening, Waterford City and County Council will switch off lights in City Hall, the Menapia building on the Mall and Civic Offices Dungarvan.
Nineteen Waterford City of Light sites will also go dark for an hour.
Those sites include Bishop’s Palace, Reginald’s Tower, the Irish Silver Museum and the historic City Walls.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said Earth Hour is a demonstration of commitment to addressing climate change.
He is encouraging businesses, community groups and sports organisations to also take part.
“Earth Hour is an opportunity for us all to take meaningful action in protecting our planet. By participating in this global movement, we can collectively make a difference,” Mayor Ryan.
But Earth Hour is not just for groups.
Waterford council is asking everyone to get involved.
Households and individuals can get involved by disconnecting from screens, reconnecting with nature, and enjoying simple activities such as a walk outdoors, stargazing, or a candlelit dinner, the council say.
Climate Action Co-ordinator with Waterford City and County Council, Grainne Kennedy, said: “While it can be easy to question the impact of a single action, when millions act together, the effect is powerful. Switching off non-essential lights as part of a global collective sends a strong message about the importance of protecting our natural world.
“Waterford City and County Council remains committed to delivering Waterford as Ireland’s first Carbon Neutral City and to operating as an energy-efficient, climate resilient and low carbon organisation.”
The Earth Hour campaign is a campaign by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and partners as a symbolic ‘lights-out’ event in 2007, held in Sydney.
The global initiative is now in its 20th year and encourages everyone to turn off non-essential lighting for 60 minutes in a symbolic show of support for the planet and to raise awareness of the challenges facing nature and the environment.
