16 March 2017, SINGAPORE – Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, will be setting new standards on sustainability and driving positive change for the planet. In its tenth year, a record 35,000 people are expected to run for an environmental cause and participate in the Earth Hour events, and this will be matched by thousands across Asia.
For Earth Hour this year, WWF has partnered with the OSIM Sundown Marathon for the first sustainable, carbon neutral marathon in Singapore. Total carbon footprint generated by energy, transport and waste will be compensated through a carbon offset scheme. The 5KM Earth Hour Run aims to set new standards for how marathons should be run by piloting sustainable hydration stations with reusable bottles, water molecules and plantable medals.
Runners that register for the 5KM Earth Hour Run by 24 March 2017 with WWF’s promotional codes can support WWF’s work and enjoy a discount of up to 30%. In addition, special race bibs will be sold to help raise awareness about endangered wildlife species such as Sumatran tigers and Irrawaddy dolphins, with proceeds going towards WWF’s conservation efforts.
WWF has also launched Earth Hour Buddies to increase the impact of every person’s commitment to an environmental cause. A digital platform, Earth Hour Buddies brings together people in Singapore – including the runners at Sundown Marathon – and connects them with others across Indonesia, India and Hong Kong. In total, thousands across Asia will take positive on-ground action in support of forests, oceans or wildlife.
“Issues like climate change or the transboundary haze show why we are all accountable for our environment. If we act together, we can turn things around and Earth Hour Buddies enables us to do just that – bring people together for a shared cause,” said Elaine Tan, Chief Executive Officer, WWF-Singapore.
Earth Hour celebrations in Singapore
Earth Hour 2017 will take place on Saturday 25 March 2017 at 8:30pm, with celebrations at the F1 Pit Building from 6.00pm-10.30pm. It will include performances from local artistes such as DruChen, Inch Chua and Shigga Shay, and a dramatic laser show at the Singapore Flyer in the countdown to lights-off at 8.30pm.
The 5KM Earth Hour Run, which flags off at 8.30pm, will feature runners and families in wildlife-themed outfits. Other events include a Night Festival, held in conjunction with Sundown Marathon, will take place daily at 6.30pm-10.30pm from 21-24 March 2017. It features various booths with games and activities by WWF, Ascendas-Singbridge, National Geographic and Love Nature.
Across Singapore, communities, youth and corporates will also be involved in the Earth Hour celebrations. National Library Board will be holding 15 Storytelling Sessions at libraries across Singapore over two months, and National Junior College has mobilised its student population of 2,000 to run in support of forests.
Earth Hour around the world
In 2017, WWF and Earth Hour teams around the world will be using the movement to shine a light on the climate issue most relevant in their country or region. In Europe, as the European Union negotiates on crucial climate and energy policy for the period leading up to 2030, WWF will use the Donate Your Feed platform to mobilize public support- and their Facebook posts – to call for a clean, renewable energy future for all. In Brazil, people will be invited to join forces to protect one of the country’s many biodiversity hotspots from climate change while citizens in South Africa will raise their voice for renewable energy and in China, WWF is working with businesses to encourage a shift toward sustainable lifestyles.
Partners and supporters
In Singapore, WWF’s Earth Hour is supported by corporate partners, Ascendas-Singbridge, Starhub, Fairprice, Breadtalk and UPS. Media partners include National Geographic, Clear Channel Singapore and Love Nature.
“Ascendas-Singbridge Gives Foundation is pleased to support WWF’s Earth Hour as we advocate sustainability as an organisation. To create climate change awareness and encourage our tenants to pledge their green actions, we have put up posters at more than 100 of our buildings, organised roadshows, talks and a booth at the Earth Hour event while participating in the lights off initiative for our buildings. It has been an enriching experience indeed and we hope to continue to inspire others to work together for greater sustainability of our environment,” said Mr Willy Shee, Chairman, Ascendas-Singbridge Gives Foundation.
— ends —
Notes to Editors:
Refer to the Digital Media Kit for more information and hi-res images.
Register for the Sundown Marathon here.
Link to the Earth Hour Buddies digital platform: earthhourbuddies.com
Link to Earth Hour’s 10-year journey animation video: ehour.me/EH-Animation
Link to Earth Hour’s ‘The Future Starts Today’ video: http://ehour.me/FutureStartsToday2017
Link to photos of previous Earth Hour events and impacts: http://hive.panda.org/Share/ui0736175nh2qk8pu051p45k75n2365m
For more information, please contact:
Janissa Ng, Communications Manager, WWF-Singapore
email: shng@wwf.sg
About WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Singapore’s campaigns centre around sustainable consumption, raising awareness and prompting action on issues such as deforestation, haze pollution, seafood sustainability and the illegal wildlife trade. wwf.sg
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is WWF’s global environmental movement. Born in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to become the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in more than 170 countries and territories to take tangible climate action for over a decade. The movement recognizes the role of individuals in changing climate change and harnesses the collective power of its millions of supporters to shine a light on climate action.
************************