A free community event at Earnslaw Park, Queenstown will mark Earth Hour in the Queenstown Lakes District, QLDC arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said.

Cities, towns and districts across the world will turn off their lights for an hour this Saturday to support action on climate change, a World Wide Fund for Nature initiative (WFF).

Earth Hour, which would start at 8.30pm, was about a sustainable future, globally.

“New Zealand will be the first time zone in the world to celebrate Earth Hour, with over 40 regions and districts, including our district, taking part,” she said.

Reduced lighting would create a real atmosphere for local musicians performing on acoustic guitars.

“We will also have fire-dancing, a sausage sizzle and giveaways to mark the occasion,” Mrs Maxwell said.

A ‘Twilight Cinema’ would also be held at Earnslaw Park from 9.30pm, with an outdoor screening of The Age of Stupid, a quirky and entertaining documentary about climate change, starring Pete Postlethwaite.

All residents were encouraged to turn off lights and unnecessary appliances during Earth Hour.

ENDS

For more information contact Jan Maxwell 03 441 0499 or visit www.earthhour.org.nz

By: Andrea Bunting