Following an SDLP proposal from myself in Lisburn City Council, it was agreed that Lisburn would join the 2848 cities and towns across 84 countries by joining Earth Hour.
Earth hour is not just about the symbolic gesture of switching off the lights for an hour, it is about sending out a wider message that people want global leaders to take urgent action to tackle climate change.
It has been demonstrated that there exists huge potential in the ‘green economy’ for creating new jobs and new enterprises. We need to invest in training our unemployed workforce new skills and get them ready for a new economy – based strongly on a green economy. This opportunity exists, and it’s exists for the north particularly.
I think people are catching on to this reality – even if our ruling parties are not! For Lisburn to take this step sends out that strong message. Sure, there was opposing voices (or one rather squeaky one more precisely) but it passed, and more to the point, it was agreed to send this decision to our so called Environment Minister.
i always participate whenver there is an Earth Hour event. it is a good thing that the World Wildlife Fund organized an event like this.