Being Left in the Dark is Good for Business

The Terrace is encouraging it's resident businesses to get involved with Earth Hour 2009 – the world’s largest global climate change event. We are joining Optima Graphic Design Consultants to invite you to simply turn of all non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday 28 March.

Optima, which has produced graphics and packaging for WWF since 2000, is supporter of the global charity’s environmental aims and believes that charity not only begins at home, but it can also begin at work.As a business, The Terrace is conscious of its environmental responsibility. But it’s not just climate change that we’re promoting, what’s good for the environment can often be good for business. For example, Marina Rische is the seamstress who has worked on all of Optima’s promotional T-shirts for Earth Hour. Marina runs a small business in Lincoln undertaking bespoke tailoring and alterations. Marina was so impressed with the idea of switching off non-essential electricity for an hour in her shop that she’s introduced the practice every day. By simply switching-off her equipment and lights at lunchtime, Marina saved £70 last quarter. If turning off power can have such a dramatic effect for a small business, think what it could do for you.

Lincoln’s most recognised landmark, Lincoln Cathedral, will be switching off along with Lincoln Castle, The Collection, the Usher Art Gallery and the University of Lincoln. The Terrace is hoping that many other local attractions will participate as well. Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour to raise awareness of climate change. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights.

Global landmarks such as San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness. This year, iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff are already committed to Earth Hour 2009.

To find out more visit www.optimadesign.co.uk/earthhour where you will be able to see who else is taking part, join the Earth Hour Lincoln UK Facebook group and see the latest tweets from the Earth Hour Lincoln UK Twitter page.