Manchester Cathedral celebrates WWF’s Earth Hour

  • News
  • 23 March 2017

On Saturday 25 March 2017, at 8.30pm Manchester Cathedral will join the world’s largest climate change demonstration, WWF’s Earth Hour. Millions across the globe will switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of our brilliant planet and call for action on climate change.

The Earth's atmosphere is warming fast. In some cases weather patterns, climates and natural environments are changing quicker than wildlife or people can adapt. Global temperatures have been rising for over a century, speeding up in the resent years, and are now at their highest. 2016 was the hottest year on record, beating the previous two records of 2015 and 2014.

By joining the global movement, Manchester Cathedral will take part in a symbolic moment, designed to put a spotlight on climate change and to remind us that, together, we have the power to make change happen.

To celebrate Earth Hour, Manchester Cathedral will be switching off all non-essential lights at 8.30pm on 25 March for one hour.

The Dean of Manchester, The Very Reverend Rogers Govender said: “Manchester Cathedral is involved in a number of conferences and other events aimed at reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging other faith communities to so the same. Earth Hour is yet another symbol of Manchester Cathedral’s commitments to issues around climate change.”

Naomi Hicks, Head of Activations at WWF-UK, said: “We’re thrilled that Manchester Cathedral will be taking part in WWF’s Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. By taking one simple step to switch off, WWF’s Earth Hour is a chance for all of us to come together and send out a global message that the time for strong climate action is now.”

Over the last decade, WWF’s Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of individuals coming together each year. In 2016, a record-breaking 178 countries and some of world’s most famous buildings including Big Ben, Hong Kong’s skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge joined the global celebration. In the UK alone, over 6 million people took part, nearly 200 landmarks, along with thousands of schools, businesses and organisations.

Everyone be part of WWF’s Earth Hour on Saturday 25 March 2017. For more information and to sign up please visit wwf.org.uk/2017earthhour