Female leaders show the way for Earth Hour 2010

Ten years before irreversible damage is done to planet, says former New Zealand PM Helen Clark

via CAAI News Media

by ClickGreen staff

Published Sat 20 Mar 2010

With a week to go before the people of the planet switch off for Earth Hour, prominent women across the globe are leading the way to encourage the people of the world to show what can be done to fight climate change.

Leading female identities include former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, First Lady of Peru, Pilar Nores de Garcia, and Princess Sita Norodom of Cambodia, who have all given their support to the world’s largest action on climate change.

"Climate change is a truly global challenge. Scientists tell us that we have about ten years left in which to prevent a rise in greenhouse gas emissions which could cause catastrophic and irreversible impacts on the world's climate,” said Mrs Clark, who has been a supporter of Earth Hour since 2008.

“There is still time to prevent the worst from happening, but there needs to be decisive action across the board - from governments, industry, communities, and citizens,” she added.

At Peru’s Earth Hour 2010 launch, the First Lady of Peru, Pilar Nores made an emphatic request for women to lead the initiative this time.

“I am certain that this will achieve a larger participation”, she emphasized.

“Earth Hour is an excellent opportunity for our country to reflect on this issue, but above all to begin a change of attitude towards reducing our energy consumption, and by doing so, contributing towards making a stand against climate change in the long term”, said the First Lady.

As the official Ambassador for Earth Hour in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Princess Sita Norodom will host a candle-lit cocktail party at Le Royal Restaurant, the fine dining table of the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh.

“I truly believe that Earth Hour provides an opportunity as well to communicate what efforts are done or planned to actively protect the environment in Cambodia,” she said.

Other leading ladies and Earth Hour supporters from around the globe include:

* The First Lady of Belize, Mrs Kim Barrow

* Supermodel Gisele Bundchen

* World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader 2010, Dr Eva Dichand of Austria

* Chinese Actress Li Bingbing

* Singer Leona Lewis

* Panda Ambassador in Chengdu, Mei Lan

They are joined by female citizen leaders who have taken it upon themselves to make a difference by amplifying Earth Hour in their countries, such as PhD student, Lamia Ben, in Casablanca who first heard of Earth Hour in 2007 and this year has brought together a team of friends to make Earth Hour official in Morocco for the very first time.

This year’s female supporters join an esteemed alumnus of past Earth Hour ambassadors including Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Zara Phillips and African singer, Achieng Abubra.

Earth Hour Director, Liz Potter, says that Earth Hour demonstrates the determination of the world’s citizens for a better, healthy world.

“Earth Hour’s message of hope and action for a better, healthier planet transcends race, culture and religion. Earth Hour brings together cities, communities, businesses and individuals on the journey to positive action on climate change,” Ms Potter says.

“It is empowering that some of the great women of the world are helping to unite the many voices from all over the globe who are taking action for a better planet.”