Youth Groups Support Pack 24 MARCH :30PM. wwf.org.uk/earthhour

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1 Youth Groups Support Pack 24 MARCH :30PM wwf.org.uk/earthhour

NATUREPL.COM / INAKI RELANZON / WWF BE PART OF EARTH HOUR BECAUSE WE RE ALL CONNECTED You and your group can be part of Earth Hour 2018.

2 NATUREPL.COM / INAKI RELANZON / WWF BE PART OF EARTH HOUR BECAUSE WE RE ALL CONNECTED You and your group can be part of Earth Hour Turn off the lights on Saturday 24 March 2018 or celebrate with your group in the weeks leading up to Earth Hour and make a promise to protect our planet. SO, WHAT S IT ALL ABOUT? Earth Hour is a global celebration, organised by WWF and designed to get the world taking action to protect our planet. The tradition of switching off the lights for an hour is a great way for us all to show that we care about the future of our amazing planet. Flicking off the light switch is a strong symbol of collective concern but we also want to see direct action. We want your group members to make a promise to help protect our planet. And we want those promises to last not just for an hour, or one night but forever, for the health of our world, its species, habitats and natural treasures. Your group can join in with Earth Hour 2018 on the night itself, or in the days or weeks leading up to the big event. In this pack, we ve curated some great activity ideas to help you take part. We want to help you inspire young people to do their bit for the planet. 2

3 MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER Our research shows that a third of us in the UK feel powerless about environmental and conservation issues. It might feel impossible that we as individuals can personally create change. In fact, the exact opposite is true. We have the answers, but we just need lots of people to act on them. We can take responsibility for our actions, and through our actions, show world leaders how to make the right choices for the planet. The small steps of many people can work together to make big changes. Earth Hour is our opportunity to come together and make a difference. As well as groups such as yours, we re asking individuals, businesses and communities to turn off their lights, make a promise to the planet and be part of the world s biggest movement to protect our planet. SHARE YOUR STORIES Earth Hour would be nothing without groups like yours making it happen each year. We need passionate individuals and groups to join our team to make this Earth Hour the biggest yet. Whether it s rallying your friends and family to sign up and take part, doing something as a group on the night, or organising some planet friendly activities in the lead-up, we d love to hear from you! Drop us an and share your stories youth@wwf.org.uk or tweet us TROY MAYNE Earth Hour 2018 is your opportunity to create an Earth Hour promise to make a positive change for the planet. We want your members to choose an area of their lives where they can make a difference. From using a reusable water bottle, going strawless when buying drinks or switching off appliances at the plug every night to asking their householder, parent or carer to switch to green energy, eat more plant based meals, or ditch plastic bags for material ones. All these things might seem like something small, but together our collective action is #EarthHourWales #AwrDdaear 3

2017 HIGHLIGHTS IN THE UK In the UK around 9 million people took part in Earth Hour to show support

MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY / CALLUM BENNETTS / WWF-UK ACROSS THE GLOBE Hundreds of millions of people

From the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower, to Buckingham Palace, Caerphilly Castle and

4 2017 HIGHLIGHTS IN THE UK In the UK around 9 million people took part in Earth Hour to show support for climate action. MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY / CALLUM BENNETTS / WWF-UK ACROSS THE GLOBE Hundreds of millions of people around the globe joined in Earth Hour. From the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower, to Buckingham Palace, Caerphilly Castle and Edinburgh Castle, the world s biggest landmarks turned off their lights to show their commitment. WWF / SEWELL WWF / NINA MUNN INSPIRED The vast majority of people 90% who supported Earth Hour, said it inspired them to do more to protect the planet. 4

political results. Together we have helped create solutions for environmental issues the world over.

5 WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED A BAN ON PLASTIC IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WHY EARTH HOUR MATTERS AND WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE PART NATUREPL.COM / DAVID FLEETHAM / WWF UGANDA IS NOW HOME TO THE WORLD S FIRST EARTH HOUR FOREST Quite simply, Earth Hour is the world s biggest movement to protect our planet and has produced global and political results. Together we have helped create solutions for environmental issues the world over. In 2017, we drove climate policy in Russia, Argentina, Ecuador and Wales; we successfully advocated for climate-friendly laws, such as a ban on plastic in the Galapagos Islands; and Uganda is now home to the world s first Earth Hour forest. Younger generations will face the worst effects of climate change, pollution and habitat devastation, so it s increasingly important that they ask for and drive changes to secure their future and that of their planet. Earth Hour is a great way to get their voices heard. WWF / SIMON RAWLES GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: NATUREPL.COM / DAVID FLEETHAM / WWF UGANDA: WWF / SIMON RAWLES 5

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? WHY SHOULD WE MAKE A PROMISE?

We re facing one of the biggest environmental challenges our generation has ever seen. And we are seeing change at a pace we ve never seen before.

Snow leopards, puffins, rhinos, elephants and polar bears are just some of the magnificent animals who share our world, and who will struggle with the

We ve cut down vast swathes of forests to make room for crops and livestock to feed us, losing the forests that would naturally absorb carbon dioxide and

Climate change is why WWF is working to influence international governments to reduce emissions, conserve vital habitats and support developing countries as

6 WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE? WHY SHOULD WE MAKE A PROMISE? This year, Earth Hour is a call to arms to the people of the world to make a promise to the planet to help protect our home. We re facing one of the biggest environmental challenges our generation has ever seen. And we are seeing change at a pace we ve never seen before. Nearly 1 in 6 species are at risk of extinction from climate change. Their habitats, from incredible oceans to stunning forests, are being destroyed. Snow leopards, puffins, rhinos, elephants and polar bears are just some of the magnificent animals who share our world, and who will struggle with the changes we re inflicting on the planet. Over the past 150 years, we ve changed the balance of our planet by living beyond our means. We ve cut down vast swathes of forests to make room for crops and livestock to feed us, losing the forests that would naturally absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon. Climate change is why WWF is working to influence international governments to reduce emissions, conserve vital habitats and support developing countries as they cope with a changing climate. We want everyone to live a lower-carbon lifestyle through everyday initiatives like energy efficient buildings, better transport systems, sustainable diets and helping businesses reduce their emissions HAWKSBILL TURTLE: NATUREPL.COM / INAKI RELANZON / WWF SNOW LEOPARD: DAVID LAWSON / WWF-UK POLAR BEARS: WWF-US / ELISABETH KRUGER TAR SANDS UPGRADER PLANT: GLOBAL WARMING IMAGES / WWF DEFORESTATION: GLOBAL WARMING IMAGES / WWF 6

7 GET CREATIVE... Now is the time to get your group excited about Earth Hour and ready to make their promise for the planet. HOLD A FILM NIGHT In one meeting take the opportunity to explain the work of WWF and Earth Hour by showing the One Planet Future and Earth Hour films. Find them at wwf.org.uk/earthhour/ youth-resources Or choose a film with an environmental theme, watch it with some home-popped corn and a non-bottled drink, and then discuss some of the themes. Film ideas include Wall-E (global pollution) Happy Feet (pollution in the Antarctic), Fern Gully (rainforests), Over the Hedge (habitat loss and human overdevelopment) Hoot (animal conservation) and Chicken Run (intensive animal farming). TALK PROMISES Run through some of the things your group could easily commit to for Earth Hour promises to help protect our planet. Things like turning off lights and shutting down computers are easy wins. How about encouraging them to eat a more plant-based diet or to stop buying soft drinks in single-use disposable bottles and try a refillable one instead? Get your group to write their promises down, put them in a clear bottle and seal the lid. Make a date to open the bottle in 2-3 months time to log their progress with what they ve chosen to do. Give each member a promise mentor to help with their challenge, because a bit of support can make all the difference. LIGHT THE WAY Make simple lanterns from jam jars or recycled junk to display en masse or for your members to take home to enjoy during Earth Hour itself. For added impact, ask your group to write their promise on a label, decorate it, and stick it to the jar. Or use glass paints for a beautiful stained glass effect. For more ideas visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour/youth-resources MAKE A SIGNPOST FOR THE FUTURE You ll need some prep for this enough bits of safe, flat wood to go round your group, one between two. You ll also need a central wooden pole, some nails or screws, someone with some DIY knowledge, paints, brushes and sheets for mess. Split your group into pairs give each a piece of wood and ask them to come up with a short promise, which they ll paint on their bit of wood. Examples could include: Turn off lights!, Eat more plantbased meals, Grow veggies, Don t drive, walk. When each pair has finished, and the paint is dry, nail or screw the promises to the pole. You ll have a constant reminder of the promises your group has made, an environmental talisman and a ready-made discussion point for future meetings. Display the signposts in your meeting area or in the local town hall to share your groups promises and encourage your local community to get involved in Earth Hour. PROTECT OUR SPECIES Organise your group into teams, each one representing a species currently under threat from climate change. Sad to say, there are many. Choose from polar bears, puffins, marine turtles, elephants, snow leopards, Asian rhinos and Adelie penguins. For more information on animals under threat from climate change, download the species profile sheets. wwf.org.uk/earthhour/ youth-resources Ask each team to prepare a short presentation highlighting why their animal is under threat. Afterwards, give the group 5 minutes - again in their teams to discuss what small, individual actions taken by huge numbers of people, could do to help fight rising temperatures and sea levels. Do some actions work better in different areas of the world? The results could help bolster your group s promises. NATURE WALK Organise a nocturnal nature walk to show groups of all ages what species are active when the lights go out. If it s a clear night look out for constellations too. Check out your local Forestry Commission sites forestry.gov.uk/visit ACTIVITIES Get creative with these fun Earth Hour craft activities, available to download from wwf.org.uk/earthhour/youth-resources 7

...GOT LONGER? MAKE A POSTER Spend a few sessions making a giant poster, with each member s promise written onto it. Use recycled materials, paints, old fabric but remember, no glitter!

EMBRACE THE DARK Get outside and really celebrate our green spaces!

WALK THE NIGHT Arrange a night hike and use the Earth Hour youth quiz as checkpoint questions. wwf.org.uk/earthhour/youth-resources MAKE FIRE Take small groups night hiking to a campfire point.

8 ...GOT LONGER? MAKE A POSTER Spend a few sessions making a giant poster, with each member s promise written onto it. Use recycled materials, paints, old fabric but remember, no glitter! Display the posters in your meeting area, in the local town hall or on a public notice board to share your groups promises and encourage your local community to get involved in Earth Hour. EMBRACE THE DARK Get outside and really celebrate our green spaces! The world is exciting and looks different when it s dark, so if it s possible, get your group out into the night air to appreciate it. WALK THE NIGHT Arrange a night hike and use the Earth Hour youth quiz as checkpoint questions. wwf.org.uk/earthhour/youth-resources MAKE FIRE Take small groups night hiking to a campfire point. STARGAZE Take your group stargazing and welly walking through your local park or neighbourhood. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Have a disco in the dark and ask each group member to nominate their favourite track. GO GREEN Organise a torch-lit trail, geotagging, obstacle course, orienteering session, aerobics or dance routine in your local green space such as the park or school grounds. SPOT THE NIGHT ANIMALS Find out about nocturnal animals, and invite your local bat conservation expert to talk to your group. You could download and listen to night-time animal calls and see if you can identify each species. GET SNAPPING Take part in the Earth Hour photography competition and your members could be in with a chance of winning a WWF animal adoption of their choice, a framed copy of their winning photograph, signed by Young Wildlife Photographer, Gideon Knight and an Earth Hour t-shirt. For information on how to get involved click wwf.org.uk/ earthhour/youth-resources or find more details at the end of this pack. ANTHONY B. RATH / WWF GREG ARMFIELD / WWF SHERRI AND BROCK FENTON / WWF-CANADA...GOT A WEEKEND? CAMPING If you re feeling adventurous, there s nothing like a camping weekend to embrace and appreciate the outdoors as well as talk through Earth Hour promises for Have a vegetarian BBQ to keep off the chill. 8

SHOUT ABOUT IT Share your promises with us, your group, your district, your division, your county and the world. We want to know what your Earth Hour promises are!

9 SHOUT ABOUT IT Share your promises with us, your group, your district, your division, your county and the world. We want to know what your Earth Hour promises are! SAMPLE TWEET [group name] we re taking part in #EarthHourUK on Saturday 24 March 2018, are you? SAMPLE FACEBOOK POST [group name] we re taking part in #EarthHourUK at our next team meeting by [enter activity]. Join us and make a promise to and and and #EarthHourWales or #AwrDdaear TELL YOUR COMMUNITY YOU RE TAKING PART IN EARTH HOUR 2018 Click wwf.org.uk/earthhour/youth-resources for a press release template EARTH HOUR MAP Don t forget to check out our Earth Hour map and find your youth group and see what s happening near you. If you decide you do not want to be on the map, please youth@wwf.org.uk and we will remove your group from the map. 9

EARTH HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION In preparation for Earth Hour 2018, WWF is giving your group members the chance to take part in an Earth Hour photography competition.

There are two age categories for the competition: ages 7-11 and 12-15. Please make sure you state the age category of your members on the completed competition form when submitting your entries.

uk or via a We Transfer link to youth@wwf.org.

10 EARTH HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION In preparation for Earth Hour 2018, WWF is giving your group members the chance to take part in an Earth Hour photography competition. The competition is open to all youth groups who are registered for Earth Hour 2018 aged The photographs can either be taken during a meeting, or at home. There are two age categories for the competition: ages 7-11 and Please make sure you state the age category of your members on the completed competition form when submitting your entries. Send your members photographs to the WWF Living Planet Centre via to youth@wwf.org.uk or via a We Transfer link to youth@wwf.org.uk with the subject Earth Hour Photography Competition and a special panel of WWF judges including Young Wildlife Photographer of the year 2016, Gideon Knight will choose the winners. The panel will be looking for creativity and photography skills. YOUNG WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2016, GIDEON KNIGHT The winners will receive an animal adoption of their choice, a framed copy of their winning photograph, signed by Gideon Knight and an Earth Hour t-shirt. The winner s photographs will also be displayed on the WWF-UK website. IMAGES: GIDEON KNIGHT 10

11 EARTH HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION To be in with a chance of winning the competition you need to read the entry categories below and have some fun taking photographs. When you are happy with a photograph and think it could be the winning entry, share this with your leader and send it to WWF with the completed entry form alongside your promise to the planet. You can only enter one category. Please make sure you state your photography category on the completed entry form when sending in your entries. CATEGORY 1: Choose your favourite animal and try to see the world through the eyes of that animal. Take one photograph from the perspective of that animal. Think about how tall it is, what it might see from its point of view. E.g. in the grass as small as an ant, reaching as tall as a giraffe or hanging upside down like a sloth! CATEGORY 2: Take one photograph of some local wildlife or a habitat that is special to you. Think about what makes this area or wildlife so special to you and how your Earth Hour promise might help protect it. E.g. a river you enjoying visiting, a bird that you see in your garden or a green area such as a park or woodlands near your group meeting place. You must include your Earth Hour promise with the photograph entry to be in with a chance of winning. Photographs must be received with the completed entry form by Monday 5th March 2018 at 5pm to be entered into the competition. The winners will be contacted by phone and by Monday 19th of March. Photographs must not be smaller than 5mb or larger than 15mb. Photographs can be taken on smart phones or cameras. Photographs can be in colour or black & white. Please send photographs to: youth@wwf.org.uk SHOUT ABOUT IT Share your promises with us, your group, your district, your division, your county and the world. We want to know what your Earth Hour promises are! We d love to hear from you about what activities and events you ll be planning for Earth Hour so don t forget to get in touch! You can share your youth group stories, photos and videos with us on social using #EarthHourUK, or you can us with your plans and we will feature them on our website. Have fun! Sample tweet [group name] we re taking part in #EarthHourUK on Saturday 24 March 2018, are you? Sample facebook post [group name] we re taking part in #EarthHourUK on Saturday 24 March 2018 by [enter activity] Join us and make a promise to the planet. and and and #EarthHourWales or #AwrDdaear IDEA BUZZ WORDS Promise Connected Climate Change Action Impact Nature Species Together Our planet Earth Hour WWF

WWF-UK registered charity (1081247) and in Scotland (SC039593).

12 If you have any questions, ideas or want to share your plans, we d love to hear from you. Contact youth@wwf.org.uk wwf.org.uk/earthhour For a future where people and nature thrive wwf.org.uk 1986 panda symbol and WWF Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered charity ( ) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee ( ) For a future where people and nature thrive wwf.org.uk 1986 panda symbol and WWF Registered Trademark of WWF. WWF-UK registered charity ( ) and in Scotland (SC039593). A company limited by guarantee ( )

24 MARCH 8.30PM A GUIDE FOR SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES. wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour

24 MARCH 8.30PM A GUIDE FOR SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES Join the worldwide movement on climate change wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour #EarthHourScotland @WWFScotland WE ARE ALL CONNECTED We are seeing our