Antinuclear

This year Australians won’t just be switching off their lights for Earth Hour. They will also pledge to switch over to renewable energy for good.

By pledging to switch at earthhour.org.au, thousands of Australians will be committing themselves to a better future for our planet.

While hundreds of millions of people across the planet celebrate Earth Hour every year, this year will see a focus on local action with the launch of the Earth Hour Community Challenge.

Through the Community Challenge the five Australian towns or suburbs that have the most pledges in relation to their size will win a free solar power system.

This will be given to a local community organisation such as a nursing home, surf lifesaving club or athletic centre.

Those who have already switched can also show their support by registering that they have already joined Australia’s clean energy future at earthhour.org.au.

Schools, councils, and artists from around the country will also be involved in the third annual WWF-Earth Hour Awards.

Schools and creative artists from around Australia are being encouraged to apply for the Earth Hour awards at earthhour.org.au so that their inspiring actions can be recognised by the community.

The chief executive of WWF-Australia (the charity behind Earth Hour), Dermot O’Gorman, said: “Earth Hour started right here in Australia, in one city, with one idea, and now it has been embraced by the world.

“That’s why it is fantastic to see Australia building on Earth Hour’s immense success by switching to renewable energy.

“Australia has an abundance of clean and renewable energy resources and the cost is rapidly dropping.

“Earth Hour has already successfully united hundreds of millions of people around the world in celebration of our planet.

“With this power behind us, I think we can truly achieve real and lasting change, building a better future through renewable energy.”

■ For more information visit earthhour.org.au.