Rochdale MP pledges to protect the planet for Earth Hour 2018

Tony Lloyd MP

Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Rochdale, has pledged to make the planet his priority ahead of WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest event to protect the planet.

Taking place between 8.30-9.30pm on Saturday 24 March, the event is the world’s largest show of support for our planet. Lights around the world will go out for the hour, from the Taj Mahal to Buckingham Palace, as well as hundreds of millions of people around the world. In the UK alone, more than eight million people and 300 landmarks, including The Shard, Edinburgh Castle and Carnaby Street, are expected to participate.

WWF is calling on politicians to show their commitment to tackling key environmental issues such as restoring wildlife, acting on climate change and ending plastic pollution by joining in and making a pledge. Yesterday Tony Lloyd joined the call by pledging to help find solutions to climate change that keep the global temperature increase below 1.5◦C.

This year WWF’s Earth Hour is also calling on people to make a 'Promise For The Planet' – a simple lifestyle change that combined with thousands of other pledges can make a big difference.  The promises include refusing plastic cutlery, switching to a green energy provider and reducing the amount of meat you eat by becoming a flexitarian.

Mr Lloyd said: “WWF’s Earth Hour provides an opportunity to raise awareness of some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our generation. I hope by making this promise today that I can encourage others to make a pledge too. Together we can make a difference.”

Tony Juniper, executive director of campaigns at WWF said: ​“Much of the wildlife we love is being seriously threatened by the pressures we put on our planet, including the effects of climate change, pollution, deforestation and generally living beyond the Earth’s means.

“We are delighted to see MPs from across the UK give their support to Earth Hour and make a pledge to protect the planet. We hope they will inspire many others in their constituencies and communities to make a promise of their own.”