Fiji Rugby Union joins scrum against climate change

Suva, Fiji – The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has become the world’s first sporting body to pledge support for WWF’s Earth Hour, an annual global event that encourages people everywhere to take meaningful action to tackle climate change.

“We are very proud to have the Fiji Rugby Union take part in this global campaign, said Kenneth Zinck of the FRU Lottery Team.

“WWF’s Earth hour is a fantastic opportunity for people from across Fiji to join in a global campaign to show support for action on climate change.”

The rugby union also says it will work with WWF to promote Earth Hour during the highly anticipated Fiji Rugby Lottery draw on 30 December 2010. The lottery aims to raise much needed cash to support the country’s famed Flying Fijians at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Kenneth Zinck also called for national support of Earth Hour during the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, which fall on the same day at the end of March.

“The FRU is behind Earth Hour and it would be great if the country could support us during Earth Hour by switching off the lights while watching the Hong Kong Sevens game which falls on the same date and time,” he said.

“I would like to urge all Fiji rugby fans to get behind Earth Hour and the boys’ campaign to the Rugby World Cup by switching their non-essential lights off – not only for an hour at 8.30pm on 26th March but also to go beyond that hour in our everyday energy consumption practices.”

Earth Hour 2010 was the largest voluntary action for the environment in history with lights going out across 128 countries and over 4,500 cities worldwide.

Earth Hour 2011 will again see hundreds of millions of people across all continents come together to celebrate an unambiguous commitment to the planet by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

“Running into its fourth consecutive year, this campaign has continued to grow through the support of iconic organisations and personalities,” said WWF SPPO representative, Kesaia Tabunakawai.

“Fiji is a rugby crazy nation, so it’s only a natural approach for us to engage a sport that is an important part of Fiji’s history,” she added. “Earth Hour has been making history simply by inspiring individuals, businesses and households to be proactive in the face of climate change effects.”

“This is especially appropriate in the Pacific, a region vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change. In this Year of Biodiversity it is important to remember that Climate change also threatens biodiversity,” said Ms. Tabunakawai.

Earth Hour will be held from 8:30-9:30pm on Saturday March 26, 2010.