Source: WWF-UK
Those of you who wore it bright or dined by candlelight to fundraise for Earth Hour will know that all donations are helping save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest. But did you know that Acre state, home of the Sky Rainforest Rescue project that your donations are supporting, switched off and celebrated too?
This year’s Earth Hour was a record-breaking event for Brazil with powerful displays in over 120 cities, including around two-thirds of the country’s state capitals.
And among these enthusiastic cities was Rio Branco, capital of the Amazon state of Acre, where WWF’s partnership with Sky is based. At 8.30pm, people gathered in the streets to see the lights of the state government’s palace go dark. Many also hopped on their bikes for an organised night ride through the dim streets as houses and important landmarks were plunged into darkness.
About 100km away in the rural town of Xapuri, local residents assembled to see the home of revered environmental activist Chico Mendes go dark for the hour. Elenira Mendes, Chico’s daughter, was pleased that her father was honoured as part of the global lights-out event. She said:"It's a unique symbol, of great significance. My father, who brought the importance of the Amazon and forests to the world, would be very happy to know that our house has been part of this worldwide movement.”
"The state of Acre has a history of dedication to environmental causes,” said Denise Hamu, CEO of WWF-Brazil. “Participation in Earth Hour for the third consecutive year is a demonstration of this commitment and an example to other cities and governments."
Deep in the heart of the rainforest, in the Sky Rainforest Rescue project area, many families still do not have electricity in their homes. The Acre state government, which we are supporting through this project, is working on an ambitious plan to bring development to these communities without destroying the rainforest.
Sky Rainforest Rescue is a three year partnership between WWF and Sky to help save one billion trees in Acre state, Brazil. By working with local people to make the forest worth more standing than cut down, we can help protect a vast area of Amazon rainforest that is currently threatened by deforestation.