Stirling is the latest Scottish city to sign up to WWF's 2009 Earth Hour.

At 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March buildings, historic monuments and homes across the city will join other cities across the globe in switching off lights for 60 minutes in a graphic demonstration of support for determined international action on climate change.

Stirling Council Leader Councillor Graham Houston today confirmed that the Council would join the countdown with local residents, local businesses and other organisations in switching off lights on Council buildings and high schools. Other city landmark buildings also taking part in the big switch-off for one hour include Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument, Stirling Highland Hotel and Stirling University.

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Over 1,180 cities in more than 80 countries have already committed to turn off their lights.

Stirling is joining some of the most recognised landmarks on the planet in switching off their lights too. Including: Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Bridge, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, CN Tower in Toronto and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Council Leader Graham Houston said: "We are very pleased to be part of the WWF Earth Hour campaign. While we realise that switching off lights on buildings for one hour, iconic though they may be, will have a limited impact on world climate change, the demonstration of solidarity by so many different organisations and individuals in support of this campaign is a recognition by the global community that this is a serious problem affecting us all and requiring serious action by everyone."

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland the news.

"WWF's Earth Hour is a simple way for people to show their support for strong action on climate change. Stirling’s decision to join WWF's Earth Hour highlights their commitment to this issue and demonstrates to others around the world that Scotland is willing to take action to address climate change," he said.

(GK/JM)