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20:00 (CET), 16 December, Copenhagen, Denmark: As the lights were turned back on at the conclusion of the special Earth Hour Hopenhagen, UN Chef de Cabinet, Vijay Nambiar, told the city that Copenhagen could usher in a new era of hope.
“Climate change may be bigger than each of us but it is not bigger than all of us,” said Vijay Nambiar.
The citizens of the UN climate summit host city turned off their lights for an hour in a special Earth Hour which recalled the global event in March of this year in which hundreds of millions of people from 88 countries and 4000 cities and towns Voted Earth for decisive action on climate change.
WWF Director General James Leape and 10-year-old Anne-Katrine Bisgaard Håkansson from Denmark handed the UN Chief of Staff a shimmering globe, The People’s Orb, which contains a 350-gigabyte mosaic of the hopes, dreams and experiences of people from every continent of the world, from diverse communities in desert, forest and by the sea, to create a global mandate for action on climate change.
The People's Orb is a symbol of the collective effort of all the major climate campaigns, including Seal the Deal, tcktcktck, Raise your Voice, 350.org, Hopenhagen and Vote Earth. Unveiled in Sydney, the Orb travelled to Copenhagen via The Climate Express and was delivered to the host city by honorary custodian, UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner. A series of citizen and official custodians have cared for and showcased The Orb in the lead up to its presentation to the UN Chef de Cabinet.
Vijay Nambiar told the international gathering of families, politicians, media and mayors in Copenhagen City Hall Square that the dedication to action on climate change by the people of the world has given him hope.
“The size of the challenge has not daunted your commitment,” he said.
“With this Orb - with the voices you have raised - you are urging your leaders to protect people and the planet. Together, let's make Copenhagen the place where the world came together to usher in a new era of hope."
Mr Leape said the time to act is now.
“Action on climate change has been debated for far too long,” Mr Leape said.
“Time has run out. WWF - and the other climate campaigns - join Vijay Nambiar in his urgency for a solution - our world leaders must deliver an ambitious and binding agreement this week in Copenhagen,” he said.
“It is imperative that on 27 March 2010 – Earth Hour 2010 – the people of the world will feel confident that we are heading in a positive direction to protect our planet and make it a safer, cleaner, healthier future for all.”
To interview Andy Ridley, Founder, Earth Hour: Kirsten Hodgon, Earth Hour Global, M: +45 28 62 80 77 E: Khodgon@wwf.org.au
About Earth Hour's Vote Earth
Earth Hour's Vote Earth campaign builds on the call for action on climate change provided by millions of people, companies and communities during Earth Hour. The campaign aims to provide a platform for the people of the world to deliver world leaders a mandate for the right decision to be made at the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009. Find out more about the campaign at www.earthhour.org. Earth Hour's Vote Earth is organised by WWF.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 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.
For images and media material, please visit the WWF COP15 Media Centre: www.panda.org/cop15/media
19:40, 16 December (CET), 2009
16 December 2009 [ Copenhagen ]: UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will call for world leaders to reach further on climate change and seal the deal on a fair, ambitious and comprehensive agreement when he speaks at Earth Hour Hopenhagen 19:40 CET, Wednesday, 16 December, 2009.
In a public address in Copenhagen, the Secretary-General will speak to an international audience, including 1000 Danish children, as he accepts The People's Orb, a shimmering silver globe containing a 350-gigabyte mosaic of stories, voices, images and actions collected from around the world to create a global mandate for action on climate change in Copenhagen.
As the lights are turned on again at the special Earth Hour event to mark the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, Ban Ki-moon will receive The People’s Orb from WWF International Director-General Jim Leape and 10-year-old Anne-Katrine Bisgaard Håkansson from Denmark on behalf of all the major climate campaigns, including Seal the Deal, tcktcktck, Raise your Voice , 350.org , Hopenhagen and Vote Earth. Unveiled in Sydney, the Orb travelled to Copenhagen via The Climate Express and was delivered to the host city by honorary custodian, UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner. A series of citizen and official custodians have cared for and showcased The Orb in the lead up to its presentation to the Secretary-General.
The event recalls the hundreds of millions of people in over 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries throughout the world that voted Earth with their light switch during Earth Hour 2009 (28 March).
WHAT : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will accept The People's Orb from Jim Leape, Director-General of WWF International and 10-year-old Anne-Katrine Bisgaard Håkansson on behalf of all major climate campaigns, including Seal the Deal, tcktcktck, Raise your Voice , 350.org, Hopenhagen and Vote Earth at Earth Hour Hopenhagen.
WHERE : Copenhagen City Hall Square / Hopenhagen Live
WHEN : 1940pm (local time), Wednesday, 16 December, 2009
1600pm - Kids entertainment and lantern making at the Planetarium
1800pm - Lantern parade from the Planetarium to Copenhagen City Hall Square
1900-2000 Earth Hour Hopenhagen
For more information:
For interviews with Andy Ridley , Earth Hour Executive Director, Earth Hour please contact Kirsten Hodgon on +45 28 62 80 77 (khodgon@wwf.org.au)
For interviews with CEO WWF Denmark, Gitte Seeberg please contact Guri Kaerulf Frandsen on +45 31 47 8818 ( g.frandsen@wwf.dk )
Additional information
Popular Danish actor Ken Vedsegaard, Chinese superstar Li Bingbing, pop vocalists Ida Corr and Simon Mathew, The Storm, Alien Beat Club and U.S. actor Bradley Whitford, will entertain over 1000 Danish children and their families prior to Ban Ki-moon's arrival.
The People’s Orb represents the spirit of collaboration from the majority of global climate campaigns including Hopenhagen, tcktcktck, 350.org, UNEP and Earth Hour’s Vote Earth.
About Earth Hour's Vote Earth
Earth Hour's Vote Earth campaign builds on the call for action on climate change provided by millions of people, companies and communities during Earth Hour. The campaign aims to provide a platform for the people of the world to deliver world leaders a mandate for the right decision to be made at the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009. Find out more about the campaign at www.earthhour.org Earth Hour's Vote Earth is organised by WWF.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 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.
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