Earth Hour

19th March 2016

NHS Highland is urging its staff to switch off their lights at home for an hour on Saturday (19th March 2016), as part of a demonstration for action on climate change.

The health board has emailed its employees suggesting that they sign up for Earth Hour 2016 - the worlds biggest annual celebration for our planet.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EARTH HOUR AT https://www.earthhour.org/

At 8.30pm on Saturday, people across the world will be switching off their lights and enjoying their dinner by candlelight for Earth Hour. Key landmarks such as Inverness Castle, the Forth Bridge and Buckingham Palace will be plunged into darkness - and NHS Highland employees are being asked to do their bit.

The board has suggested that its employees celebrate their commitment to the planet with their friends, family, community or at work, in their own way, such as simply turning off all non-essential lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

John Burnside, the board's head of environment and sustainability, said: NHS Highland is fully committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Earth Hour gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the planet. People can make simple changes to their daily routines to make a real difference.

Among the changes the board suggests can be made at home or at work are:

• Switching off all appliances when not in use and not leaving any on stand-by
• Preventing waste by reusing or recycling when possible
• Using video-conferencing when possible; if not, travel by public transport, car sharing, cycling or walking.

To celebrate Earth Hour 2016, the Council has arranged for the floodlighting to be switched off at key landmarks including Ruthven Barracks, Inverness Castle, Urquhart Castle and Eilean Donan Castle. In addition, the Council's Rangers will be hosting a special "Ghost Walk" in Grantown-on-Spey.

Councillor Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, said: “We were delighted to hear that we have been recognised for our efforts in promoting and supporting WWF’s Earth Hour for the second consecutive year. We are proud to be taking part for the ninth year in a row, and I would encourage as many Highland residents as possible to get involved, turn their lights off for an hour on 19th March and show their support for this important global event.”

To take part in WWF’s Earth Hour 2016, please register on the WWF Scotland website (http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/).