Shanghai icon goes black for Earth Hour

Shanghai - Joining the growing ranks of world famous landmarks switching off their lights in support of Earth Hour, an initiative developed by WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature) to raise awareness on climate change, the Oriental Pearl Tower will be plunged into darkness from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on March 28.

During Earth Hour, WWF and East Radio Shanghai (ERS) have teamed up to broadcast live from the Pearl Tower, while Wang Xiaokun, a popular Chinese musician, performs at the Shanghai event.

Other Shanghai landmarks turning off the lights include the New World Tower, Raffles City and PricewaterhouseCoppers’ Coporate Avenue at Xintiandi, one of the city’s most fashionable shopping, eating and entertainment areas.

“China is so important in leading the world towards a more sustainable way of doing business. It is great to have the support of such globally iconic Chinese cities. We hope their participation will inspire others both in China and around the world to take part in Earth Hour,” said Mr Andy Ridley, Executive Director of Earth Hour Global.

"Shanghai is one of China’s most important economic engines and a leading city of the 21st centry. The popularity of Earth Hour shows that everyday people in Shanghai and around the world are willing to come together to fight climate change together,” Mr O’Gorman, WWF-China Country Representative said.

In addition, in Wal-Mart stores across the city from March 21 – 28 cashiers will wear Earth Hour t-shirts and volunteers will help customers register on-line to support Earth Hour, while IKEA is providing special Earth Hour offers on energy-efficient light bulbs. Also, Urbn Hotels Shanghai, China’s first carbon neutral hotel, will offer Earth Hour drink specials from 8:30pm to 9:30pm on March 28. Working with communities in Shanghai, Wanke Property Management Group will flick the switch in over 20 of its residential properties, which house over 100,000 people. An environment-themed painting competition is also being held to encourage community children to express their feelings on the state of the planet.

Shanghai universities have also pledged their support for Earth Hour, with one student leader from Shanghai Jiaotong University stating, "We are organizing students to listen to an acoustic concert and watch the stars during Earth Hour, all as a call for greater public awareness on the importance of saving energy."

Many other cities across China have also pledged to show their support for Earth Hour. Hong Kong has promised to switch off the lights in the city’s iconic Victoria Harbour, while Baoding, an important Chinese green energy manufacturing center, will darken major venues across the city. Beijing, Dalian, Chengdu, and Wuhan are also among a growing list of Chinese cities showing their support for the planet during Earth Hour.

Currently 1,189 cities in over 80 countries have signed up for Earth Hour, with more making the commitment every day.

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For further information please contact:

Li Yuan
Communications Officer (Shanghai), WWF China
Tel: (021) 6605 6653 ext. 8806
liyuan@wwfchina.org

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM to show their support for action on climate change. The event began in Sydney in 2007, when 2 million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach out to 1 billion people in 1,000 cities.

About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.