Call for Stormont to join worldwide 'black-out'

Stormont's Parliament Buildings should join iconic sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Sydney Opera House in staging a 'black-out' to highlight climate change, it was claimed today.

The SDLP has urged politicians to turn the lights out at the Assembly on March 28 to support the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour.

Hundreds of cities, including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin, have signed up for the gesture which hopes to encourage energy conservation.

Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has tabled a motion in the Assembly calling for Stormont to join the global event.

"Earth Hour is not just about the symbolic gesture of switching off lights for an hour, it is about sending out a wider message that people want global leaders to take urgent action to tackle climate change at their meeting in Copenhagen at the end of this year," he said.

"Being more energy efficient is good for the environment, good for employment and therefore good for our economy.

"Rising energy costs are hitting ratepayers in Northern Ireland hard, but by encouraging those in government to take basic, small actions such as switching off the lights we are sending a strong message to our communities that every little bit not only helps our environment, but helps lower our energy bills too. In essence, we want people to save pounds while saving the planet.

"Iconic buildings and global landmarks such as Leinster House, Customs House and Government Buildings in Dublin, the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum and the Sydney Opera House will all play their part so there is no reason why we cannot do the same here."

He added: "Rather than dodge the problem of climate change and leave it to our children to deal with, the SDLP is prepared to ensure Northern Ireland plays its role in the global response to this major environmental issue."