Local landmarks such as the Gwynedd Council Headquarters will be switching off their external lights and they are expected to join other famous places across Wales and the world, from Caernarfon Castle to the Millennium Stadium and from Big Ben to Sydney Harbour Bridge.

WWF – the world’s leading independent conservation organisation - is urging people to show their support by signing up online now via its website, in advance of the night itself. You can also add your name to the Earth Hour online map and see who else is supporting Earth Hour nearby.

Gwenan Parry, Gwynedd Council head of Customer Care, who is responsible for energy conservation matters said:

“We are supporting WWF's Earth Hour this year by switching off lights in the headquarter buildings. As a Council, we're also working hard throughout the year to protect and improve the environment and tackle climate change – we have already seen a 9% reduction in our carbon emissions since 2005/2006 by introducing our Carbon Management Plan. I hope that local people will sign up online and that this international event will help to tackle climate change.”

As well as the lights going out across the globe, a number of community events will take place on the night around Wales. WWF Cymru is encouraging people to hold candlelit suppers and a special menu has been produced by celebrity chef Bryn Williams. WWF’s Official Partner for Earth Hour 2012 is MORE TH>N.

Anne Meikle, Head of WWF Cymru said:

“For this year's Earth Hour we've put a real focus on community groups and people showing their support online such as on our Facebook page. Earth Hour is a fun, simple and practical way people can they can show they care about the planet, so we're pleased to see Gwynedd council is leading by example. I hope we see plenty of people from the area share their support on our online map too.”

To sign up online visit earthhour.wwf.org.uk/signup – lights out is at 8:30pm on Saturday, 31 March 2012.