The Big Switch Off for Earth Hour

What is Earth Hour?

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. New Zealand’s own iconic buildings and landmarks such as Auckland’s Sky Tower and the Beehive in Wellington will stand in darkness.

3 Steps to get involved

1. Join Earth Hour
Sign up at www.wwf.org.nz/earth_hour/sign_up and switch off your lights for one hour from 8.30pm on 27 March.

2. Show your support
Whether you are an individual a business a school or a city you can show your support by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, 8.30PM Saturday 27 March 2010. Check out the other ways that you can show your support.

3. Spread the word
Get the word out about Earth Hour by working your social network for the planet. Add an Earth Hour banner to your blog, tag your tweets @earthhour or update your Facebook status to tell your friends that you’re supporting Earth Hour 2010

What is Westpac doing?

• We’ll turn off the on-floor lights and sky signage in our main corporate offices across New Zealand.
• In Auckland Westpac's two main buildings (Westpac on Takutai Square and PWC Tower), will be completely dark, apart from essential security lighting
• At all other corporate offices, including Westpac Business Banking Centres, all occupied floor lights will be turned off. As a tenant at various sites, Westpac is also working with the relevant building owners to encourage full participation in Earth Hour.
• Westpac will maintain all essential security lighting, (including ATMs) to ensure employee and customer safety
• All Westpac branches already turn off non-essential lights every night.
• Westpac has also encouraged employees, suppliers and customers to get involved, turn their lights off on the night, and take action on climate change
• Westpac is helping to promote Earth Hour by promoting the event on our staff intranet and website.

• go to Westpac’s online banking and login
• click on the link in the left menu that says ‘stop the statements’ and follow the short steps listed there