Earth life saving - SLSA rides the Earth Hour wave
12 Mar 2007
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has announced its support of Earth Hour, the environmental initiative which will see Sydney businesses and residents turn their lights off for one hour at 7.30pm on March 31 to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions.
SLSA will actively encourage its 112,000 members and 305 clubs around Australia to turn their lights off in an effort to help reduce emissions by five per cent in 2007.
Sean O'Connell, Communication Manager, Surf Life Saving Australia commented: "We recognise the need for SLSA to take a greater leadership role when it comes to environmental issues, and therefore are looking to establish partnerships with local community environmental groups to work together to further minimise the impact of surf lifesaving on the environment."
Surf Life Saving Australia's Eco-Surf policy addresses the impact of the surf lifesaving movement on the environment and encourages clubs to behave in an environmentally sensitive manner.
"Tathra SLSC used money raised by local community donations to install wind turbines and solar panels in an effort to become carbon neutral. The aim is to provide the club with all of its energy needs from renewable sources, freeing up money for the club to spend on much needed lifesaving equipment," O'Connell said.
"We will also be preparing and providing 'best practice' case studies on how individual members and clubs can go about reducing their carbon emissions and will investigate additional funding sources to assist clubs to implement them," he said.
"Surf Life Saving Australia involvement is another example of the amazing response to Earth Hour from across the community - and it is only with cross community support that we will make a real difference in dealing with climate change," said Andy Ridley, WWF Australia National communications manager.
Kellogg's Nutri-grain IronMan finalists Zane Holms and Dean Mercer have been battling it out for the ocean for years, however, both stand united when it comes to helping the environment.
"Growing up in and around the water it's easy to see the effects of pollution so I try to do my best to help," Holms said.
Holms and his wife have just finished building an eco-friendly home complete with biocycle water system to recycle water and gas cooking facilities.
Fellow IronMan Dean Mercer is also committed to eco-friendly practices, after recently renovated his house to install solar panels and rain water tanks. The father of two believes it would be selfish to stand back and not act.
"We need to preserve the environment for our children to enjoy and for the generations to come. People need to know that every little bit counts and it's the small things that make a difference," he said.
To find out more about Earth Hour, Sydney residents and businesses can visit the official website at www.earthhour.org. Visitors to the site can pledge their support and sign up to receive a free Earth Hour information pack which, in addition to providing further information on the campaign, gives them hints and tips on how to cut their household and office electricity bills and emissions.
Find out more
Jacqueline McArthur, Media Communications Manager, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 9281 5515
Mobile: 0408 626 780
Email: jmcarthur@wwf.org.au
Note: Award winning agency Leo Burnett Sydney is WWF's partner in the Earth Hour initiative. The agency, in collaboration with WWF, has created the Earth Hour identity and logo and a (forthcoming) dedicated holistic communications campaign, designed to harness the power of TV, radio, print and interactive.
