City schools celebrate Earth Hour

SWANSEA schools are signing up to help the city mark Earth Hour 2015.

Over 30 schools have already signed up to the lights-out event to celebrate the planet and the need to protect it.

They are planning a range of events such as light switch-offs on the eve of Earth Hour on March 27. They’re are also encouraging youngsters to switch off TVs and game consoles at home for the global hour on March 28.

Last year Swansea schools were among an amazing 4,600 in the UK taking part in the days and weeks leading up the main event, reaching over two million students and making it the biggest Earth Hour yet.

The move comes after the Council announced its Guildhall and Civic Centre offices will be joining forces with thousands of iconic landmarks globally as they show their support for the WWF event.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Young people are a real driving force when it comes to environmental issues and it’s great to see so many schools signing up to be part of such a great and inspiring event.

“I hope many more will put their school and therefore Swansea on the Earth Hour’s worldwide map to show just how much we all care about the environment in Swansea.

“Joining in with Earth Hour really is as simple as flicking a switch, whether that’s your games console, your lights, your TV, or your computer. We can all do our bit and pause to think about how we can do more.

“It’s important because we all need do what we can to protect our wonderful planet for generations to come.”

One of the schools taking part is Newton Primary school where the school’s eco-committee has been helping their fellow pupils understand what Earth Hour is about and how to become involved.

Pupils will hold their own Earth Hour switch off of on Friday ahead of the event.

Pupils and parents are also being supported to sign up for the main Earth Hour event on Saturday so they can switch off at home and put Swansea on the Earth Hour map.

Teacher Sandra Stewart said: “We have signed up to Earth Hour every year and the response from pupils and parents is fantastic. It offers a great learning opportunity and helps our school show just how much we care about our environment locally and across the world.”

For more information on Earth Hour head to http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk or http://www.earthhour.org/wales

Schools can register at http://register.education.co.uk/wwfearthhour

Join in the conversation on Twitter @SwanseaCouncil and post your support with hashtag #LightsOutCymru and #EarthhourUK