County Mayo participants at this weekend's Earth Hour initiative will pledge to keep the oceans clean and plastic free especially in the coastal town of Westport.
There’s more to Westport on the West coast of Ireland than tourism. There’s also a lively community that’s very engaged in sustainability, leading the way with many inspiring initiatives to raise awareness – and get active – around supporting the planet’s welfare. This Saturday, 19th March at 8.30pm, churches around the country will ring their bells to mark Earth Hour and call their parishioners to switch off their lights.
Westport Smarter Travel has decided to turn the occasion into a community celebration. Members of the public are invited to meet at the Octagon at 8.20pm, to witness the lights on the Sentinel statue of St Patrick (normally bathed in green year-round) and Westport Town Hall being switched off.
After listening to the church bells from St. Marys Church ringing out in the darkness - waking people to their responsibility to protect our country and our planet – they will then cycle, walk or carpool to Gracy’s on the grounds of Westport House for candlelit, wood-fired pizza, followed by acoustic music from pupils of Sancta Maria College and the “Singing Sista’s” women’s choir.
Participants will be encouraged to make a pledge for the environment at the event. One of the pledges promoted, promoting, especially as Westport is a coastal town, is to keep the oceans clean and plastic free, which is very topical at the moment.
Earth Hour is a global initiative run by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), encouraging people to switch off their lights for one hour, as a symbolic gesture of their commitment to tackling climate change – which disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable – and to protect our natural world.
2015 was the hottest year on record. It is imperative that all citizens of the planet become aware of how their daily actions contribute to global warming, and what they can do to make a difference. Active participation in events such as these makes symbolic events like Earth Hour more memorable and more meaningful. And this is a simple initiative that can be easily replicated in towns and villages across the country.
Earth Hour was celebrated in 172 countries in 2015 with lights switched off in over 10,400 landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. Mayo County Council, Westport Smarter Travel, Tidy Towns, Eco-Congregation and Wes-co are delighted to promote and participate in this important event in 2016.
Get involved at home by switching off your lights for Earth Hour, 8.30-9.30pm, Saturday, March 19th. Or organise a similar gathering in your own local community.
For more information see www.earthhour.org.ukDavid
