Ceredigion County Council is helping to build a brighter future by supporting WWF’s Earth Hour, a spectacular and symbolic lights out event that focuses the world’s attention on our planet, and the need to protect it.

On 29 March, at 8.30pm, Ceredigion County Council will be joining forces with hundreds of millions of individuals, thousands of iconic landmarks, businesses and schools as they show their support for our brilliant world. Earth Hour’s unique display of darkness has become a global phenomenon with millions of individuals coming together each year. 2013 saw a record-breaking 154 countries join the world’s biggest celebration under the stars.

Last year in Wales, over 250 schools, half of Welsh councils and 30 Assembly Members from all parties supported Earth Hour.

Many iconic Welsh buildings joined in, including Conwy Castle, Castell Coach, Caernarfon Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Conwy Castle; Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities, Wales Millennium Centre, The Oval, the Senedd, St David's Hotel, the National Library in Wales and others.

Across the UK over 10 million people took part and more than 1,200 businesses including global brands Sky and IKEA helped plunge the UK into an hour of darkness.

To celebrate Earth Hour 2014, the lights will be switched off for Earth Hour at the the following locations:

• Canolfan Alun R Edwards

• Castle Grounds, Aberystwyth

• Constitution Hill, Aberystwyth

• Penmorfa, Car Park

• Canolfan Rheidol Car Park

• Theatr Felin-fach Car Park

• Minaeron, Aberaeron

‘I'm proud and delighted that, once again, Ceredigion County Council is taking part in this important world-wide initiative. Large organisations like Councils can have a much bigger effect than individuals alone and so it's particularly important that we show leadership and demonstrate that we take carbon management and climate change seriously,’ said Cllr Alun Williams, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for Carbon Management, pictured preparing to switch off the lights at the Council headquarters in Penmorfa, Aberaeron.

Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru, said: “We’re thrilled that Ceredigion County Council will be taking part in Earth Hour this year and hope that they’ll inspire many others to get involved. Earth Hour is more than just an hour of darkness, it’s a chance for people to come together and send a global message about the need to protect our planet. By taking one simple step to switch off, you’ll be joining millions of people from around the world in this special celebration.”

All of the money raised will go towards WWF’s vital conservation work in the Mara, Kenya, one of the most spectacular places on Earth and home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife including lions, cheetahs and African elephants. This incredible landscape is also central to national and local economies and directly supports the livelihoods of more than one million people. WWF is helping to create a brighter future for the Mara, from helping communities address human-wildlife conflict to providing local wildlife rangers with much needed equipment and training.

Everyone can sign up for WWF’s Earth Hour 2014. For more information and to sign up please visit www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour.