The Big Switch Off For Earth Hour

Well what a weekend so far!  Unless you were visiting our nearest planetary neighbour at 8.30pm last night, you will know that it was Earth Hour!  Where millions of people in over 140 countries switched off their lights for an hour, as a symbolic act to ask politicians, business and individuals, to do more to protect the world we live in.

I was one of around 20 or so lucky volunteers to take part in WWF Scotland's big event for Earth Hour, here in Edinburgh. 

Arriving at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade at about 7pm, I was greeted by some very friendly people (Julie and Anna from WWF) and a giant light-switch!  A good start!

On meeting my fellow 'candle lighting' team members we were 'togged-up' by Babs and fed biscuits and chocolate while we waited for some very clever architects to do their stuff, setting out our 'candle plan'.  The plan being, a series of dots, which would then be lit by candlelight to spell out CLIMATE ACTION NOW!  A tiger, polar bear and panda even joined our gang, so we knew we were in for some fun!

It turned out that we were to be filmed setting out the candles, by a time-lapse camera, so that the whole event could then be sped-up and a neat little video made.

So, following some "strict" instructions to 'not do anything silly like wiggle our bums at the camera, or dawdle about while on film, looking at the candles and thinking "isn't that pretty" '; we were off!

It took us 30 minutes to set all our little lights out, and things did get a little bit manic at the end, as we rushed to reach our 8.30pm deadline.  Shouts of, 'more candles, more candles', became louder and more screechy, as we got to the 2 minute countdown.  And I'm sure The Ceilidh band who were accompanying our efforts, got faster and faster as the time ran out!

But, in true down to the wire style, we made it! And were gathered round the giant light switch, lanterns in hand, in time for the count down to switching off Edinburgh Castle's lights. 

Unfortunately, our very loud countdown and dramatic turning off of said giant light switch, didn't quite match up with Edinburgh Castle's own switch off.  But, hey-ho, you can't have everything!

And isn't the candle panda the coolest thing ever!  The pupils from Currie Community High School, did a great job in making sure he was lit up on time.

And after all of that excitement, it was off to the pub with JW for a well-earned half of Guiness! (Check out the very cool t-shirt too. Some might say that it was worth doing just for that!)

So, what did you get up to for Earth Hour?  And have you made a pledge on I Will If You Will?