By Candlelight

This was our second year supporting WWF’s Earth Hour across all our stores in the UK. All stores switched off their unessential lighting at 8:30pm on 27th March. We even had Caribbean steel bands in our Edmonton store – don’t ask!

Switching off for one hour wasn’t about saving energy though, it was a symbolic act. The purpose was to send a message to politicians and governments that we as individuals care and want action on climate change.

On the day, myself and my children Connor, Laura and Niamh were with our friends from WWF for the actual switch off. We were not suddenly being pitched into darkness cometh the hour, but, seeing Big Ben on Whitehall going off was very symbolic for me personally.

A highlight for the children was being interviewed by the WWF film crew and receiving an increase in their pocket money to cover their appearance fees!

Over 4,000 cities took part in Earth Hour over 126 countries though, and considering the overall aim of Earth Hour is to send a clear signal to policy leaders that we need action on climate change. Tackling climate change is urgent and vital to both safeguard our environment and our children’s future.”

My colleague Peter Jones at the UK Service Office (a keen cyclist and environmentalist too) told me he held a candlelit dinner for friends and when Earth hour finished he went to turn back on the lights everyone said, “No leave them off it’s so nice!”

Not only can you have a pleasant evening by candlelight but by keeping in mind when to keep lights off you’ll be saving a bit of cash too.

PS Remember now the clocks have changed, so change your timers too!