Earth Hour is a huge global switch off for one hour at 8.30 pm on the 28 th March to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change at the UN conference in Copenhagen later this year.

WWF’s Earth Hour aims to inspire a billion people in 1,000 cities to show global support for action on climate change. So far more than 1000 cities in 84 countries have signed up including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast in the UK.

Many iconic landmarks will be switching off their lights such as Nelson’s Column in London, the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House and Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

Peter Ainsworth said: “I urge residents right across East Surrey to turn their lights off as part of this fantastic global event. It’s a small sacrifice that will make a huge difference.”

Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF UK, said: "We are delighted that Peter is backing WWF’s Earth Hour. Negotiations for a global deal to tackle climate change are going on right now and it is essential that politicians demand the UK Government takes a strong leadership position.

“We want to create a groundswell of support and this is a chance for the people of East Surrey to be part of a global action on climate change. Global leaders meet at the UN conference in Copenhagen later this year to determine how the world will work together to tackle climate change in future. A billion people across the globe turning off their lights sends a loud and clear message to politicians that they must make it happen.”