There were celebrations in the shadow of The Falkirk Wheel today (Tuesday 21st March), as WWF Scotland presented Scottish Canals with the Earth Hour Public Body Runner-Up Award.
The award recognises the organisation’s contribution to the global WWF Earth Hour movement and its efforts in tackling climate change. The WWF panda, accompanied by Earth Hour Officer Scott Blance, paid a visit to The Falkirk Wheel to present the award to Dr Olivia Lassiere, Heritage and Environment Manager at Scottish Canals.
As part of its support of the annual event, Scottish Canals turns off the lights illuminating the internationally-renowned landmarks The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies, helping to put a spotlight on the issues facing the planet and reminding us that, together, we have the power to make change happen. This year, Earth Hour will take place between 20:30 and 21:30 on Saturday the 25th of March.
Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to recognise Scottish Canals for all their efforts in support of our annual Earth Hour initiative. This award clearly demonstrates the massive commitment of the organisation to tackling climate change and protecting our brilliant planet. We look forward to working with Scottish Canals again for Earth Hour 2017.’
Since 2007, 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 Edinburgh Castle, The Kelpies, Big Ben, Hong Kong’s skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge joined the global celebration.
We are delighted to receive this award, and proud to take part in WWF’s Earth Hour by switching off the lights of two of Scotland’s engineering icons – The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies. It’s an inspiring event, highlighting that everyone can make a difference to help protect our planet and that we all have a key role to play.
Dr. Olivia Lassiere, Heritage and Environment Manager at Scottish Canals, continues: “Caring for Scotland’s 137-mile-long canal network presents Scottish Canals with a number of unique environmental opportunities and challenges, and we recently launched a comprehensive environment strategy which outlines our current and ongoing commitment to environmental management. This will play a key role in working towards the Scottish canals acting as catalysts for sustainable development in communities across the nation.”
Falkirk Community Trust, who manage The Helix, are also marking this year’s Earth Hour with a unique event that will see visitors being led in fitness classes in front of The Kelpies – with the aim of producing enough energy to light the sculptures for one hour! Find out more at www.thehelix.co.uk.
Everyone can join the celebration for WWF’s Earth Hour on Saturday 25 March 2017. For more information and to sign up please visit www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour.