Archbishop Desmond Tutu Supports Earth Hour

Washington - February 20, 2009: Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lent his voice to World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour’s global call for action on climate change.

“Climate change is the greatest human induced crisis facing the world today. It is totally indiscriminate of race, culture and religion. It affects every human being on the planet,” said the Archbishop.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu announces his support of Earth Hour 2009.

With over 500 cities in 75 countries already signed up to take part in the lights out campaign, Earth Hour 2009 – Saturday, March 28^th at 8:30 p.m. - is anticipated to be one of the greatest social movements the world has ever witnessed.

As the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in advocating civil rights equality, Desmond Tutu knows better than most the power of individuals uniting for a common cause.

“Earth Hour is an opportunity for every man, woman and child from all corners of the globe to come together with a united voice and make a loud and powerful statement on the issue of climate change,” he said.

With new cities signing up to the campaign every day, the support of one of the world’s most respected figures will resonate across the globe, ensuring millions more people switch off their lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28^th. In the U.S., our key cities are Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City and San Francisco, while Homer Glen, IL; Houston, TX; Minneapolis, MN; San Rosa, CA; Sarasota, FL and St. Louis, MO are supporting.

Earth Hour 2009 aims to empower citizens from all over the world with the ability to voice their concern on climate change. Essentially, it is the world’s first global vote for action on climate change and casting your vote is as easy as flicking a switch.

With the world’s leaders due to meet in December at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the Archbishop can see the importance and the potential of Earth Hour 2009.

“If we all perform this one simple act together, it will send a message to our governments too powerful for them to ignore. They will know the eyes of the world are watching,” he said.

Other notable names lending their support to Earth Hour include Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett, Janeane Garofalo, Alanis Morissette, Wynonna Judd, Big Kenny (Big & Rich), Gavin DeGraw, KT Tunstall, Mary Mary, Rise Against, Jo Dee Messina, Kathy Mattea, Simple Plan, Finger Eleven, Jennette McCurdy and others.

Earth Hour U.S. has been made possible in part due to the contributions of HP, The Coca Cola Company, Esurance, Wells Fargo, and Cox Conserves.

About World Wildlife Fund and Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global initiative of WWF, in which millions of people around the world will cast a vote in favor of action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm local time. By voting with their light switches, Earth Hour participants will send a powerful, visual message to their leaders demanding immediate action on climate change.

WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, stop the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit World Wildlife Fund to learn more.

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